vape

verb

ˈvāp 

vaped; vaping

transitive + intransitive

: to inhale vapor through the mouth from a usually battery-operated electronic device (such as an electronic cigarette) that heats up and vaporizes a liquid or solid

This electronic cigarette … contains a small reservoir of liquid nicotine solution that is vaporized to form an aerosol mist. The user "vapes," or puffs on the vapor, to get a hit of the addictive nicotine …

—John Tierney

When a person tokes, eats or vapes cannabis, a wave of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, washes into the brain.

—Laura Sanders

vaper noun

The problem is that little is known about the precise dangers of being in the same space as a vaper indulging their e-habit.

—Amber Dance

Examples of vape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The former can’t resist the allure of a tobacco and vaping tax, while the latter has fallen back in love with look, sensations and aesthetics of smoking. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

In that study, researchers attributed this rise to easy access to vaping devices, appealing flavors, and social media promotion. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Amazon will pay $400,000 to resolve a dispute over violations of Vermont's ban against shipping tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping products, directly to Vermont consumers, according to a news release. —Dan D'ambrosio, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024

Concentrate Specific The original Switch is a hybrid device that allows users to shift back and forth between dabbing concentrates and vaping flower. —Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

short for vapor entry 1, in reference to the aerosol produced by the cigarette, by analogy with smoke entry 2

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

vape

verb

ˈvāp 

: to inhale vapor through the mouth from a usually battery-operated electronic device that heats up and vaporizes a liquid or solid

Medical Definition

vape

verb

ˈvāp 

vaped; vaping

intransitive verb

: to inhale and exhale vapor from an electronic cigarette or similar device like someone smoking a conventional cigarette

transitive verb

: to inhale or exhale the vapor of

vaper noun

Vapers can inhale huge numbers of very small aerosol particles into the lung's tiniest airways.

—Janet Raloff, Science News