exhale

[eks-heyl, ek-seyl]

verb (used without object)

exhaled, exhaling 

1. to emit breath or vapor; breathe out.

2. to pass off as vapor; pass off as an effluence.

verb (used with object)

exhaled, exhaling 

1. to breathe out; emit (air, vapor, sound, etc.).

   to exhale a sigh.

2. to give off as vapor.

   The engine exhaled steam.

3. to draw out as a vapor or effluence; evaporate.

exhale

/ ɛksˈheɪl, ɪɡˈzeɪl /

verb

1. to expel (breath, tobacco smoke, etc) from the lungs; breathe out

2. to give off (air, vapour, fumes, etc) or (of air, vapour, etc) to be given off; emanate

Other Word Forms

• unexhaled adjective
• exhalable adjective
• exhalation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhale¹

1350–1400; Middle English exalen < Latin exhālāre, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + hālāre to breathe

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhale¹

C14: from Latin exhālāre to breathe out, from hālāre to breathe

Example Sentences

The manager turned off the vacuum, recoiled hoses and exhaled with relief.

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This method is designed to capture exhaled aerosols before they spread through the room.

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He puffed again on his cigar and exhaled a slow stream of smoke.

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After a few inhales through the nose and exhales through the mouth, Penelope felt that her wits were, if not directly about her, at least within arm’s reach.

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When he exhaled, he was overcome with a coughing fit.

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Related Words

• breathe 
• emit 
• give off 
• let out