inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhāl 

inhaled; inhaling

transitive verb

1

: to draw in by breathing

2

: to take in eagerly or greedily

… inhaled about four meals at once.

—Ring Lardner

intransitive verb

: to breathe in

inhale

in-ˈhāl 

ˈin-ˌhāl

noun

Synonyms of inhale

• devour
• gulp
• cram

Examples of inhale in a Sentence

This medicine can now be inhaled.

She inhaled the fresh country air.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax.

After inhaling their dinner, the children ran out the door without even saying goodbye.

Recent Examples on the Web

Outside was given an exclusive first viewing of the special, in which host Cecilia Vega hikes to Base Camp, 17,600 feet, where the air is so thin that every breath feels like it’s inhaled through a straw. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025

Ultra-fine particles are easy to pour, easy to spread, and easy to inhale. —Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Thousands more firefighters, fire officers, EMTs and recovery workers are battling cancers, lung disease, heart conditions, digestive disorders and other chronic illnesses caused by inhaling Ground Zero toxins. —CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025

One of the trailer’s sharpest beats shows Charli screaming at Tim (Jamie Demetriou) in frustration while inhaling a cigarette. —Riann Phillip, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

in- + exhale

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for inhale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l 

inhaled; inhaling

1

: to draw in by breathing

2

: to breathe in

Medical Definition

inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l 

inhaled; inhaling

transitive verb

: to draw in by breathing

intransitive verb

: to breathe in