inhale

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to draw in by breathing
2
: to take in eagerly or greedily
… inhaled about four meals at once.—Ring Lardner

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms of inhale

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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.
People are thought to get infected by inhaling the amoeba from windblown dust or by getting contaminated soil or water in a wound. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Also called square breathing, this four-step method asks children to inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts and hold again for four counts. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026 The child inhales for four counts, holds for four counts, exhales for four counts and holds again for four counts. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026 In March 2025 the FDA advised consumers not to inhale any flavor of nitrous oxide from canisters, tanks or chargers. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for inhale

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Browse Nearby Words

inhalator
inhale
inhaler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inhale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhale. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of inhale for Spanish Speakers

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