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

Currently, medical marijuana cannot be smoked in Texas, though the legislation would allow the inhalation of an aerosol or vapor if signed into law. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025

Here are their health risks May 4, 2025 Their primary opportunities to enter the body are through the inhalation of toxic air or through ingestion, after collecting on the hands of a person who then touches their face or uses their hands to eat. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025

This certainly nudges the show closer to game territory, where inhalation’s the primary means of infection. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 12 May 2025

Hunt will be the fifth person in Alabama to die by nitrogen hypoxia — a controversial method in which the inmate is deprived of oxygen through inhalation of pure nitrogen. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 9 June 2025

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