inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-hə-ˈlā-shən 

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 

ˌi-nə-ˈlā-

adjective

Examples of inhalation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Several other people were treated for tear gas inhalation, the ministry said. — Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026

Black lung, that scourge of coal miners, had been identified in the mid-19th century but its cause, the inhalation of coal dust, did not come under federal oversight until 1969. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

The lungs process substances differently from the digestive system, and the health effects of chronic inhalation of propylene glycol through e-cigarette aerosol remain incompletely understood. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026

Their injuries range from a concussion-type injury to inhalation and some minor burns. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inhalation

• smoke inhalation

Rhymes for inhalation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən 

: the act or instance of inhaling

Medical Definition

inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən, ˌin-ᵊl-ˈā- 

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 

adjective