exhalation

[eks-huh-ley-shuhn, ek-suh-]

noun

1. the act of exhaling.

2. something that is exhaled; vapor; emanation.

exhalation

1. The act of breathing out air. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, causing compression of the lungs and an outward flow of air.

2. Also called expiration

3. Compare inhalation

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhalation¹

1350–1400; Middle English exalacion < Latin exhālātiōn- (stem of exhālātiō ). See exhale, -ation

Example Sentences

The inhalations and exhalations of twelve people made a soft, sighing wheeze in the otherwise soundless room.

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Typical features include frequent deep sighs, rapid breathing, forceful exhalation from the abdomen, or chest breathing without proper diaphragm use, which prevents the lungs from fully expanding.

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At one point you talk about being “cloud makers with every exhalation”.

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Multiple, overlapping blows of whale exhalations echo off mountains that rise vertically out of glassy water.

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Their vocal cords did not close, and their abdominal muscles did not contract, as they normally do during exhalation for vocalization.

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