inhalant

noun

in·​hal·​ant in-ˈhā-lənt How to pronounce inhalant (audio)
: something (such as an allergen or medication) that is inhaled
inhalant adjective

Examples of inhalant in a Sentence

The medicine is now available as an inhalant.
Recent Examples on the Web Then, as a gay elder, Cohen gave Sivan some advice on the popular inhalant. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2023 Many states have laws that impose fines or jail time on people who sell or possess inhalants for the purpose of becoming intoxicated. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 20 Apr. 2023 Adults represent the majority of people who abuse inhalants, according to CPSC data. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 20 Apr. 2023 One theory, as of yet unproved, is that illnesses may result from substances that are thought or known to be toxic in vaping products, which use heat to vaporize nicotine and other inhalants. Matt Richtel, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2019 Warm mist can also be used with medicinal inhalants for cough or cold relief. Paige Szmodis, Popular Mechanics, 13 Sep. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inhalant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhalant was circa 1890

Dictionary Entries Near inhalant

Cite this Entry

“Inhalant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhalant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inhalant

noun
in·​hal·​ant in-ˈhā-lənt How to pronounce inhalant (audio)
: something (as a medicine-containing spray) that is inhaled
inhalant adjective

Medical Definition

inhalant

1 of 2 noun
in·​hal·​ant
variants also inhalent
1
: something (as an allergen or an anesthetic vapor) that is inhaled
2
: any of various often toxic volatile substances (as spray paint, glue, or paint thinner) whose fumes are sometimes inhaled for their euphoric effect

inhalant

2 of 2 adjective
variants also inhalent
: used for inhaling or constituting an inhalant
inhalant anesthetics

More from Merriam-Webster on inhalant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!