inhale

verb

in·​hale in-ˈhāl How to pronounce inhale (audio)
inhaled; inhaling

transitive verb

1
: to draw in by breathing
2
: to take in eagerly or greedily
inhaled about four meals at onceRing Lardner

intransitive verb

: to breathe in
inhale
in-ˈhāl How to pronounce inhale (audio)
ˈin-ˌhāl
noun

Examples of inhale in a Sentence

This medicine can now be inhaled. She inhaled the fresh country air. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax. After inhaling their dinner, the children ran out the door without even saying goodbye.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When someone ingests or inhales lead particles, the body confuses them with other minerals, Del Rio said. Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 30 July 2025 Adding a few drops of essential oil to hot water and inhaling the steam can be beneficial for relieving congestion. Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025 State officials from Maine to New York issued alerts for fine particulate matter, a toxic byproduct of wildfires that is small enough to be inhaled. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 July 2025 Glendale Police Department - Arizona What is Near Drowning Syndrome? Near-drowning syndrome refers to the serious medical consequences that occur after a dog, or any animal, survives an initial drowning incident but inhales water into the lungs. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for inhale

Word History

Etymology

in- + exhale

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inhale was in 1725

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inhale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhale. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

inhale

verb
in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l How to pronounce inhale (audio)
inhaled; inhaling
1
: to draw in by breathing
2
: to breathe in

Medical Definition

inhale

verb
in·​hale in-ˈhā(ə)l How to pronounce inhale (audio)
inhaled; inhaling

transitive verb

: to draw in by breathing

intransitive verb

: to breathe in

More from Merriam-Webster on inhale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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