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

The original draft proposal, part of the EU’s End-Of-Life Vehicles Directive, posited that carbon fiber presented both inhalation and skin contact risks during a car’s end-of-life recycling process. —Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Benzene on the other hand is a highly potent carcinogen and is dangerous through ingestion, skin absorption inhalation and injection. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025

Microplastics enter the body via ingestion and inhalation, according to previous research, and scientists have discovered their presence in various body parts or fluids including the blood, lungs, placenta, brain and testicles. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

Studies have linked long-term exposure to benzene through inhalation or ingestion to the development of blood cancers like leukemia. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 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