inhale

American  

[in-heyl] / ɪnˈheɪl /

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 British  

/ ɪnˈheɪl /

verb

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

---

Other Word Forms

• uninhaled adjective

Etymology

Origin of inhale

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

Example Sentences

Her agitation grew as she listed the indignities, but then she inhaled and pressed her lips together as if trying to compose herself.

From Literature

The smoke was getting thick, burning my lungs every time I inhaled.

From Literature

He said apprentices would have "snowball" fights with asbestos and he knew of two women who died having probably inhaled particles while washing their husband's work clothes.

From BBC

I dug my elbows into the table and focused on inhaling—then exhaling.

From Literature

I inhaled like I’d just been punched in the gut as my heart slammed to a startled stop in my chest.

From Literature

Related Words

• puff
• smell
• sniff
• snort
• suck in