noun
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the act of inhaling; breathing in of air or other vapours
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an inhalant formulation
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The act of taking in breath. Inhalation results from the negative pressure in the lungs caused by contraction of the diaphragm, which causes it to move downwards and to expand the chest cavity. The resulting flow of air into the lungs restores a pressure equal to that of the atmosphere.
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Also called inspiration
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Compare exhalation
Etymology
Origin of inhalation
Compare meaning
How does inhalation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
An inhalation is an inward breath. When you swim to the surface of a pool after being under water, you'll take a deep inhalation. The inhalation of gas fumes is bad for you, while inhalation of scents like peppermint can be very relaxing. If you've ever taken a yoga class, you know there's a lot of talk about breathing, inhalation and exhalation (breathing out). Inhalation comes from the verb inhale, "to breathe in," from the Latin inhalare, "breathe upon."
Vocabulary lists containing inhalation
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for April 22–April 28, 2023
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Part 3 Vocabulary (Unit 5)
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Shut Up, This Is Serious
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her daughter, a party candidate, also suffered burns and smoke inhalation and remains in hospital.
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
Usually, fewer than 50 people go to the emergency room each day for throat pain, and fewer than 20 people for smoke inhalation, the department said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026
The team used a well-established mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and delivered CBD through inhalation.
From Science Daily • May 29, 2026
Their injuries range from "critical severe to minor", and include burn and inhalation injuries.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
Anya shut her eyes against the heat, coughing with every inhalation.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
