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

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

Despite sprays representing 26% of all SPF products in 2025, the report warns the inhalation risk is still prevalent. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 22 May 2025

After the accident occurred, he was transported to a hospital and put into an induced coma due to his inhalation of smoke. —Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

There is just a little bit of research on it: In a 2014 study, a trial of 62 patients saw that the inhalation of eucalyptus essential oil prior to their operation decreased overall anxiety. —Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 30 Apr. 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