inhale

1 draw deep into the lungs in by breathing; "Clinton smoked marijuana but never inhaled"

2 draw in (air); "Inhale deeply"; "inhale the fresh mountain air"; "The patient has trouble inspiring"; "The lung cancer patient cannot inspire air very well" [syn: inspire, breathe in] [ant: exhale]

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪl

Verb

1. To draw air into the lungs through the nose or mouth by action of the diaphragm.
2. To draw (something, a medicament) into the nose or lungs by action of the diaphragm.

Synonyms

• sense draw air into the lungs breathe in, inspire
• breathe in, inspire

Antonyms

• sense draw air into the lungs breathe out, exhale, expire (archaic)
• breathe out, exhale

Derived terms

• inhalation
• French inhale

Translations

Inhalation (also known as inspiration) is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli.

Inhalation begins with the onset of contraction of the diaphragm, which results in expansion of the intrapleural space and an increase in negative pressure according to Boyle's Law. This negative pressure generates airflow because of the pressure difference between the atmosphere and alveolus. Air enters, inflating the lung through either the nose or the mouth into the pharynx (throat) and trachea before entering the alveoli.

Other muscles that can be involved in inhalation include:

• External intercostal muscles
• Scalene muscles
• Sternocleidomastoid muscle
• Trapezius muscle

See also

• Inhalant - Psychoactive drugs consumed through inhalation
• Respiratory system
• Ventilation (physiology)

References

aspirate, blow, breathe, breathe hard, breathe in, breathe out, chain-smoke, chaw, chew, cough, drag, draw, draw in, exhale, exhaust, expel, expire, gasp, gulp, hack, hiccup, huff, inhale snuff, inspire, nose, pant, puff, pull, respire, scent, sigh, slurp, smell, smell of, smoke, sneeze, sniff, sniffle, snore, snort, snuff, snuff in, snuffle, suck, suck in, suckle, take snuff, wheeze, whiff