The wait times in our emergency departments are longer than usual due to illnesses like RSV and the flu. View our estimated ED wait times and learn more about where to get care for your sick child.

Patient & Family Education Materials

Start over with a New Search

What Does Inhale Mean?

Article Translations: (Spanish)

Inhale

Say: IN-hail

You're doing it now... and now... and now... and now! You're breathing in, or inhaling, that is. You need to inhale air into your lungs to keep every cell in your body alive.Your lungs are kind of like balloons, and when you breathe in (inhale), they get bigger. Then when you breathe out (exhale) and let that air back out, they get smaller. That's why your chest goes up and down when you breathe.

Back To Top

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

© 1995-2025 KidsHealth ® All rights reserved. Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com