inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-hə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌi-nə-ˈlā-

1

: the act or an instance of inhaling

2

: material (such as medication) to be taken in by inhaling

inhalational

ˌin-hə-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌi-nə-ˈlā-

adjective

Examples of inhalation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Editors’ Picks This Dress Is Dividing the Internet Other scientists have said there is a magnitude of studies suggesting glyphosate is safe when used as directed, as long as workers use protection to avoid direct contact or inhalation. —Knvul Sheikh, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of human disease, mostly infecting the lung following inhalation of airborne fungal spores. —Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

But inhalation of these chemicals and minerals can cause adverse, irreversible health problems. —Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025

While possession of nitrous oxide is legal, and it can be sold for legitimate purposes, such as in medical and culinary settings, it cannot be marketed or sold for the purpose of inhalation to produce a high. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inhalation

• smoke inhalation

Rhymes for inhalation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən 

: the act or instance of inhaling

Medical Definition

inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən, ˌin-ᵊl-ˈā- 

1

: the act or an instance of inhaling

specifically : the action of drawing air into the lungs by means of a complex of essentially reflex actions that involve changes in the diaphragm and in muscles of the abdomen and thorax which cause enlargement of the chest cavity and lungs resulting in production of relatively negative pressure within the lungs so that air flows in until the pressure is restored to equality with that of the atmosphere

2

: material (as medication) to be taken in by inhaling

inhalational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective