# inhalation

/ˌɪnhəˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɪnhɐlˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inhalation
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the act of breathing air or other substances into your lungs.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a single instance of breathing in.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
