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
ˌin-hə-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
ˌi-nə-ˈlā-
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.
Bulging of the eyes Fungus Ball Sinusitis Fungus ball sinusitis often results from the inhalation of fungal spores or from a mucosal injury (damage or inflammation of the sinus's inner lining).1 The infection is asymptomatic (with no symptoms) at first. — Laura Schober, Health, 14 Apr. 2025 Long-term exposure to benzene through inhalation, oral intake, and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders. — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025 Black lung, a debilitating and often fatal condition caused by inhalation of coal and silica dust during mining, affects roughly 1 in 5 miners who have worked in the Central Appalachian mines for twenty-five years or more, according to NIOSH. — Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025 Rather than passing from person to person, the disease develops from the direct inhalation of these fungal spores. — Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 Apr. 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

Phrases Containing inhalation

Rhymes for inhalation

See All Rhymes for inhalation

Browse Nearby Words

inhalant
inhalation
inhalator
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Cite this Entry

“Inhalation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhalation. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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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
-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inhalation

Nglish: Translation of inhalation for Spanish Speakers

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