Word
inhalation
Phoneticsin·hala·tion
US/ˌɪnhəˈɫeɪʃən/
UK/ɪnhɐlˈeɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the act of breathing air or other substances into your lungs.
n. the process of drawing air, smoke, or other vapours into the lungs through the respiratory tract.
Examples
“The doctor told him to take a deep inhalation.”
“Workers in the factory must wear masks to prevent the inhalation of harmful chemical dust.”
“The rapid onset of the drug's effects is due to its delivery via inhalation, which allows the active compounds to enter the bloodstream almost immediately through the pulmonary capillaries.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor told him to take a deep inhalation.”
contextual
“Workers in the factory must wear masks to prevent the inhalation of harmful chemical dust.”
complex
“The rapid onset of the drug's effects is due to its delivery via inhalation, which allows the active compounds to enter the bloodstream almost immediately through the pulmonary capillaries.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a single instance of breathing in.
Real-World Examples
“At least 10 other people suffered burns or showed "symptoms of smoke inhalation", five of whom had been taken for treatment locally, Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiades said on X.” “Six firefighters were taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.” Etymology
From inhale + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/inhalation