exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

ek-ˈsāl

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

1

: to rise or be given off as vapor

2

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

1

a

: to breathe out

She exhaled a sigh.

b

: to give forth (gaseous matter) : emit

2

archaic : to cause to be emitted in vapor

Synonyms of exhale

• expel
• blow (out)

Examples of exhale in a Sentence

She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax.

before answering, the suspect exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke

Recent Examples on the Web

The alveoli take in oxygen from inhaled air and exchange it for carbon dioxide, a waste gas that is exhaled. —Susan Russell, Verywell Health, 23 Dec. 2025

When summer fades and the crowds head home, the island finally exhales. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025

Reassuring results from Micron breathed life back into the AI-infrastructure theme while a cool CPI reading allowed investors concerned about a hawkish Fed to exhale, allowing for a relief bounce in the indexes that for now looks welcome but inconclusive. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025

After a Friday court hearing, in which Judge Eric Geffon said approving the agreement exceeded his authority under a 2022 law change, Tony LoBue and his sister Marie audibly exhaled. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exalen, from Latin exhalare, from ex- + halare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for exhale

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

Kids Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

exhaled; exhaling

1

: to breathe out

2

: to send forth (as gas or odor)

Medical Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈ(h)ā(ə)l 

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

: to breathe out