inhalation

noun

in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-hə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
ˌi-nə-ˈlā-
1
: the act or an instance of inhaling
2
: material (such as medication) to be taken in by inhaling
inhalational adjective

Examples of inhalation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web According to indoor air quality guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), inhalation accounts for 95 to 99% of most people’s exposure to benzene, followed by food and water consumption. Jessica Chia, SELF, 12 Mar. 2024 How lead damages the body Lead enters the body through three routes: ingestion, absorption or inhalation. Aaron Specht, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 Exposure can occur through skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 Similar to inhalation methods, sublingual administration provides a relatively quick onset of effects. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023 United Nations experts cited concerns about the possibility of grave suffering that execution by pure nitrogen inhalation may cause. S. Dev, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2024 Prolonged exposure through inhalation has been associated with chronic lung disease, and prolonged skin contact can lead to ulcers, according to the CDC. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 5 Jan. 2024 Human infection is typically acquired through inhalation of contaminated water aerosols. USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024 When ingested orally, cannabinoids take longer to metabolize compared to inhalation methods such as smoking or vaping. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inhalation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhalation was circa 1623

Dictionary Entries Near inhalation

Cite this Entry

“Inhalation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhalation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

inhalation

noun
in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
: the act or instance of inhaling

Medical Definition

inhalation

noun
in·​ha·​la·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈlā-shən, ˌin-ᵊl-ˈā- How to pronounce inhalation (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of inhaling
specifically : the action of drawing air into the lungs by means of a complex of essentially reflex actions that involve changes in the diaphragm and in muscles of the abdomen and thorax which cause enlargement of the chest cavity and lungs resulting in production of relatively negative pressure within the lungs so that air flows in until the pressure is restored to equality with that of the atmosphere
2
: material (as medication) to be taken in by inhaling
inhalational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on inhalation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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