exhale

[ eks-heyl, ek-seyl ]

verb (used without object)

, ex·haled, ex·hal·ing.

1. to emit breath or vapor; breathe out.
2. to pass off as vapor; pass off as an effluence.

verb (used with object)

, ex·haled, ex·hal·ing.

1. to breathe out; emit (air, vapor, sound, etc.):

   to exhale a sigh.

2. to give off as vapor:

   The engine exhaled steam.

3. to draw out as a vapor or effluence; evaporate.

exhale

/ ɛksˈheɪl; ɪɡˈzeɪl /

verb

1. to expel (breath, tobacco smoke, etc) from the lungs; breathe out
2. to give off (air, vapour, fumes, etc) or (of air, vapour, etc) to be given off; emanate

Derived Forms

• exˈhalable, adjective
• ˌexhaˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• unex·haled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhale¹

1350–1400; Middle English exalen < Latin exhālāre, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + hālāre to breathe

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhale¹

C14: from Latin exhālāre to breathe out, from hālāre to breathe

Example Sentences

“Martin hired the right guy,” DeShaun Foster said Saturday evening after his team could finally exhale.

From Los Angeles Times

The lead would grow considerably before the Bruins could finally exhale thanks to their defense.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m ready for this to be legal all over the United States,” he added as he exhaled a plume of smoke.

From Los Angeles Times

Mosquitoes locate people to bite using our skin odors and the carbon dioxide we exhale, as well as heat, movement and visual cues, the center said.

From Los Angeles Times

Jack Berman takes a long drag and then exhales, slowly, in the covered terrace of a 150-year-old pub in a Sydney beach suburb.

From BBC

Related Words

• breathe
• emit
• give off
• let out