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.
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 Spores can enter through a cut in the skin or be inhaled or ingested. — Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026 Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that is caused by inhaling the Legionella bacteria in small droplets of water mixed in the air or contaminated water accidentally going into the lungs. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 July 2026 Put a drop or two in your palms, rub them together, and inhale the calming lavender-vanilla scent for a nice little reset. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 23 July 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 9 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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