inhalation

noun in·ha·la·tion \ ˌin-hə-ˈlā-shən , ˌi-nə-ˈlā- \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Definition of inhalation

1 : the act or an instance of inhaling

2 : material (such as medication) to be taken in by inhaling

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inhalational

play \ˌin-hə-ˈlā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl, ˌi-nə-ˈlā-\ adjective

See inhalation defined for kids

Recent Examples of inhalation from the Web

An apartment fire in Kingwood early Friday morning sent one woman to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, authorities said.

— samantha ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "Woman hospitalized after Kingwood apartment fire," 29 June 2018
Officials on scene tell me 4 people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

— chelsea prince, ajc, "BREAKING: 4 injured when aisle catches on fire at DeKalb discount store," 18 June 2018
Two customers had injuries that required surgery, and one other person was treated for smoke inhalation.

— alene tchekmedyian, latimes.com, "A deadly explosion at an Orange County day spa and a mysterious motive has detectives searching for answers," 17 May 2018
No one else was inside the woman's apartment at the time, but at least one other resident was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

— adam ferrise, cleveland.com, "Cleveland woman dies three days after being pulled from apartment fire," 12 Apr. 2018
The three were taken to Lowell General Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

— adam sennott, BostonGlobe.com, "Tyngsborough police officers rescue woman from house fire," 20 June 2018
That changed when the Maricopa County Medical Examiner ruled Keyron's death was a result of smoke inhalation, according to records.

— brieanna j frank, azcentral, "Fire killed her daughter and grandson; she still waits for answers," 12 June 2018
Two residents and four firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene of a Sunday house fire in Naperville, the Naperville Fire Department said.

— staff report, Naperville Sun, "2 residents, 4 firefighters treated for smoke inhalation at scene of Naperville house fire," 21 May 2018
One firefighter manning an engine got caught in the very heavy smoke because of the wind, Formica said, and he was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for smoke inhalation and was released later that night.

— frank abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "19 garages 'a total loss' in Round Lake Beach fire," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inhalation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inhalation

circa 1623

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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INHALATION Defined for Kids

inhalation

noun in·ha·la·tion \ ˌin-hə-ˈlā-shən , ˌi-nə- \

Definition of inhalation for Students

: the act or an instance of breathing or drawing in by breathing

Medical Dictionary

inhalation

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

medical Definition of inhalation

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

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