Aspiration
/ˌæspəˈreɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsA strong desire to achieve something; an ambition.
/ˌæspəˈreɪʃən/
A strong desire or ambition.
His lifelong aspiration was to write a novel.
💡 Simply: A big dream or goal.
More Examples
The company's aspiration is to become a global leader.
How It's Used
"Her aspiration is to become a doctor."
"He had high aspirations for his future."
The forceful expulsion of air from the lungs while producing a speech sound.
/ˌæspəˈreɪʃən/
(in phonetics) The pronunciation of a consonant with an accompanying breath of air.
The aspirated sounds in English are p, t, and k.
💡 Simply: A puff of air when saying a sound.
How It's Used
"The 'p' in 'pin' is aspirated, while the 'p' in 'spin' is unaspirated."
From Middle English aspiracioun, from Old French aspiration, from Latin aspiration-, aspiratio, from aspirare "to breathe upon, aspire," from ad- "to" + spirare "to breathe."
Historically, the word was used more frequently in a medical context referring to breathing.
Memory tip
Think of 'as' + 'pire' – to reach for the fire (your ambition).