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

People can then get infected if the virus gets into their eyes, mouth, or nose, such as via inhalation. —Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2024

And the periodontal bacteria—that travel via the bloodstream, inhalation or ingestion—may also cause infections or exacerbate inflammation in other parts of the body. —Lola Butcher, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that is transmitted from person-to-person through inhalation of the bacteria from the air. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024

According to indoor air quality guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), inhalation accounts for 95 to 99% of most people’s exposure to benzene, followed by food and water consumption. —Jessica Chia, SELF, 12 Mar. 2024

How lead damages the body Lead enters the body through three routes: ingestion, absorption or inhalation. —Aaron Specht, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024

Exposure can occur through skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024

Similar to inhalation methods, sublingual administration provides a relatively quick onset of effects. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023

United Nations experts cited concerns about the possibility of grave suffering that execution by pure nitrogen inhalation may cause. —S. Dev, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inhalation

• smoke inhalation

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