inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhāl 

inhaled; inhaling

transitive verb

1

: to draw in by breathing

2

: to take in eagerly or greedily

inhaled about four meals at once

—Ring Lardner

intransitive verb

: to breathe in

inhale

in-ˈhāl 

ˈin-ˌhāl

noun

Synonyms

• bolt
• cram
• devour
• glut [archaic]
• gobble
• gorge
• gormandize
• gulp
• ingurgitate
• raven
• scarf
• scoff
• slop
• wolf

Examples of inhale in a Sentence

This medicine can now be inhaled.

She inhaled the fresh country air.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax.

After inhaling their dinner, the children ran out the door without even saying goodbye.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is because the spores often become airborne, where they can be inhaled by people and animals. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025

This experimental setup allowed the researchers to manipulate the seals’ inhaled oxygen and CO2 levels while monitoring their diving behavior. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025

In some people, inhaling pollen causes their immune systems to overreact. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

According the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, the artist drowned after inhaling difluoroethane, and taking alprazolam (a generic form of Xanax). —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

in- + exhale

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for inhale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l 

inhaled; inhaling

1

: to draw in by breathing

2

: to breathe in

Medical Definition

inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l 

inhaled; inhaling

transitive verb

: to draw in by breathing

intransitive verb

: to breathe in