ˌaspəˈrāshən, ˌaas- sometimes -(ˌ)spiˈ- or -_spēˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English aspiracioun, from Latin aspiration-, aspiratio breathing, blowing, aspiration, from aspiratus + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : the act of aspirating : addition of an aspirate sound : pronunciation of an aspirate
b. : an aspirated sound (as h) : a breathed sound in Greek
2.
a. : act of breathing, especially breathing in, sometimes audibly
b.
(1) : the withdrawal especially by means of suction of fluids or friable tissue from the body
(2) : the operation of making such a withdrawal — compare aspirator 2
3.
[Medieval Latin aspiration-, aspiratio aspiration, desire, from Latin]
a. : a strong desire for realization (as of ambitions, ideals, or accomplishment)
the aspiration of America is still upward, toward a better job — Bernard De Voto
the religious aspiration which raised the first Gothic cathedrals — O. Elfrida Saunders
the only independent institution of learning of any size with liberal aspirations is the university — Green Peyton
b. : an end or goal aspired to : a condition strongly desired
the democratic ideal … was the common aspiration of men — W.A.White
flying is her aspiration and her passion — E.A.Weeks