inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-hə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
ˌi-nə-ˈlā-
1
: the act or an instance of inhaling
2
: material (such as medication) to be taken in by inhaling
inhalational adjective

Examples of inhalation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One was Thomas Lauder Brunton, a physician who, in the 1860s, discovered amyl nitrate’s ability to lower blood pressure upon inhalation, and began prescribing it to angina patients as a pain reliever. Jacob Bernstein, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Months later, Bryar’s autopsy raised a possible contributing factor in his death — three canisters of nitrous oxide found next to his corpse, with tubing for inhalation still attached. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025 For decades, the feds predominantly chose to only target businesses that expressly marketed their products as poppers intended for inhalation, concentrating their enforcement efforts on more dangerous drugs. David MacK, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that benzene exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inhalation

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhalation was circa 1623

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Cite this Entry

“Inhalation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhalation. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

inhalation

noun
in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
: the act or instance of inhaling

Medical Definition

inhalation

noun
in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən, ˌin-ᵊl-ˈā- How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inhalation

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