inhale

[in-heyl]

verb (used with object)

inhaled, inhaling 

1. to breathe in; draw in by breathing.

   to inhale the polluted air.

verb (used without object)

inhaled, inhaling 

1. to breathe in, especially the smoke of cigarettes, cigars, etc..

   Do you inhale when you smoke?

inhale

/ ɪnˈheɪl /

verb

1. to draw (breath) into the lungs; breathe in

Other Word Forms

• uninhaled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhale¹

First recorded in 1715–25; in- ² + (ex)hale

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhale¹

C18: from _in- ² + Latin halāre to breathe

Example Sentences

"It was like something was blocking his chest. The doctor told us he had inhaled too much smoke. A couple of days later, he passed away."

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The participants in the study still had elevated natural killer cells in their body two weeks after inhaling the smell.

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After months of worsening symptoms, Chesson was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and permanent damage to her peripheral nervous system caused by the fumes she inhaled.

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Melo said he takes measures to prevent workers from absorbing or inhaling toxic chemicals.

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"The building was designed with sealed windows. The facility and building managers also inhaled smoke and passed out during the incident leaving no incident manager or safety warden in charge," the statement added.

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Related Words

• puff 
• smell 
• sniff 
• snort 
• suck in