inhalant

noun

in·​hal·​ant in-ˈhā-lənt 

: something (such as an allergen or medication) that is inhaled

inhalant adjective

Examples of inhalant in a Sentence

The medicine is now available as an inhalant.

Recent Examples on the Web

This inhalant causes a rush of dizziness, light-headedness, and feelings of disconnection from the body, but the effects last only a few minutes. Are whippets harmful? —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Sep. 2024

What to do in an emergency In an emergency situation, if a person suspected of using inhalants is unconscious, Renny says the first step is to administer CPR and then to call 911 for assistance. —Alex Clark, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2024

Nationally, more than 25 million people over the age of 12 may have tried inhalants, according to a survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. —Alex Clark, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2024

But over the past several years, young people have typically used inhalants more than any other group older than age 12, and the numbers are creeping up again, reaching at least 564,000 in 2023, according to SAMHSA. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inhalant

noun

in·​hal·​ant in-ˈhā-lənt 

: something (as a medicine-containing spray) that is inhaled

inhalant adjective

Medical Definition

inhalant

1 of 2 noun

in·​hal·​ant

variants also inhalent

in-ˈhā-lənt 

1

: something (as an allergen or an anesthetic vapor) that is inhaled

2

: any of various often toxic volatile substances (as spray paint, glue, or paint thinner) whose fumes are sometimes inhaled for their euphoric effect

inhalant

2 of 2 adjective

variants also inhalent

: used for inhaling or constituting an inhalant

inhalant anesthetics