exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

ek-ˈsāl

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

1

: to rise or be given off as vapor

2

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

1

a

: to breathe out

she exhaled a sigh

b

: to give forth (gaseous matter) : emit

2

archaic : to cause to be emitted in vapor

Synonyms

• blow (out)
• breathe (out)
• expel
• expire

Examples of exhale in a Sentence

She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax.

before answering, the suspect exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke

Recent Examples on the Web

The goal is for Williams to exhale, to simplify things, to slow everything down. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Nov. 2024

It’s fostered when patients practice inhaling through the nose while exhaling slowly through pursed lips, as if whistling or playing the harmonica. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024

Jets fans collectively exhaled as Rodgers led the offense downfield for a successful field goal to bring New York within seven. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 6 Oct. 2024

In four days, the coin will land, and half of the country will either exhale with relief or shudder in terror. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exalen, from Latin exhalare, from ex- + halare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

exhaled; exhaling

1

: to breathe out

2

: to send forth (as gas or odor)

Medical Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈ(h)ā(ə)l 

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

: to breathe out