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.
Public records obtained by The Times showed that, as the fire burned for eight days, the number of patients who went to nearby hospitals reporting throat pain and concerns about smoke inhalation spiked.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Two people from Stourbridge were taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation, while firefighters were also injured across the West Midlands.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Residents of Stourbridge were evacuated and some were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire there spread Thursday, the UK's hottest day of the year so far.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
I spoke with two South Hall residents, Dario Wynerman and Shevockie Bloodworth, who believed they had suffered smoke inhalation.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 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.
