1. Expulsion of breath in speech.
2. Linguistics.
   1. The pronunciation of a consonant with an aspirate.
   2. A speech sound produced with an aspirate.
3. The act of breathing in; inhalation.
4. Medicine. The process of removing fluids or gases from the body with a suction device.
5. 1. A strong desire for high achievement.
   2. An object of such desire; an ambition.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.