aerate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb expose to fresh air
    air out; air.
    • aerate your old sneakers
  2. verb aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter
    activate.
  3. verb impregnate, combine, or supply with oxygen
    oxygenate; oxygenise; oxygenize.
    • oxygenate blood

WordNet

A"ër*ate transitive verb (Also<
  • Aerate
  • Aërate
)
Etymology
Cf. F. aérer. See Air,v. t.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Arated present participle & verbal noun Arating
Definitions
  1. To combine or charge with gas; usually with carbonic acid gas, formerly called fixed air.
    His sparkling sallies bubbled up as from aërated natural fountains. Carlyle.
  2. To supply or impregnate with common air; as, to aërate soil; to aërate water.
  3. (Physiol.) To expose to the chemical action of air; to oxygenate (the blood) by respiration; to arterialize.

Webster 1913