ClimateAugust 17, 2026

unventilated

un-VEN-tuh-lay-tid

Definition

Lacking a system or opening that allows fresh air to circulate and replace stale or hot air.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'ventilatus,' meaning 'to fan' or 'expose to air,' combined with the English prefix 'un-' denoting absence.

In the news

The word describes hospital wards that lack proper airflow, highlighting the dangerous conditions where nurses struggled to work safely during extreme heat waves.

‘Horrific’ conditions grip U.K. hospitals unprepared for heat

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The Japan Times

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