exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

ek-ˈsāl

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

1

: to rise or be given off as vapor

2

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

1

a

: to breathe out

she exhaled a sigh

b

: to give forth (gaseous matter) : emit

2

archaic : to cause to be emitted in vapor

Synonyms

• blow (out)
• breathe (out)
• expel
• expire

Examples of exhale in a Sentence

She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax.

before answering, the suspect exhaled a cloud of cigarette smoke

Recent Examples on the Web

Next week, the Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments for a case that could affirm these young people's fears, or give them a reason to exhale in relief. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

Dying stars exhale hot stellar winds; any carbon swept up in these winds essentially burns up, producing stellar soot. —Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024

The goal is for Williams to exhale, to simplify things, to slow everything down. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 15 Nov. 2024

It’s fostered when patients practice inhaling through the nose while exhaling slowly through pursed lips, as if whistling or playing the harmonica. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exalen, from Latin exhalare, from ex- + halare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈhāl 

exhaled; exhaling

1

: to breathe out

2

: to send forth (as gas or odor)

Medical Definition

exhale

verb

ex·​hale eks-ˈ(h)ā(ə)l 

exhaled; exhaling

intransitive verb

: to emit breath or vapor

transitive verb

: to breathe out