inhalant

American  

[in-hey-luhnt] / ɪnˈheɪ lənt /

noun

1. a medicine, allergen, or other substance that is inhaled.

2. any volatile substance, as nitrous oxide, butyl nitrite, toluene, gasoline, or paint thinner, capable of being inhaled, sometimes abused for its intoxicating effect.

3. inhaler.

---

adjective

1. used for inhaling.

inhalant British  

/ ɪnˈheɪlənt /

adjective

1. (esp of a volatile medicinal formulation) inhaled for its soothing or therapeutic effect

2. inhaling

---

noun

1. an inhalant medicinal formulation

Etymology

Origin of inhalant

First recorded in 1815–25; inhale + -ant

Example Sentences

One day after it was reported that the NFL banned ammonia inhalants, the league clarified that while teams can no longer supply them, players can supply their own.

From Los Angeles Times

The company developed, manufactured and marketed a wide array of branded and generic prescription drugs, including eye drops, injectables, oral liquids, inhalants and nasal sprays, according to its website.

From Seattle Times

Little is known, though, about whether propylene glycol is safe as an additive for inhalants.

From Washington Times

Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol know how to produce and sell inhalants and intoxicants.

From Salon

Vaping devices, which typically vaporize substances into an inhalant, are perceived by some experts as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes because they do not include carcinogens that come with burning tobacco.

From New York Times

Related Words

• opiate