nebulizer

This term is primarily used in medical and clinical contexts, referring to a specific piece of equipment that converts liquid medication into a fine aerosol. It is a technical term that is common in both professional healthcare settings and in home-care instructions for patients with chronic respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis or COPD.

While the word is descriptive of the process of nebulization, it is almost exclusively used to refer to the physical device itself. In a patient-care context, it is often distinguished from an inhaler, as a nebulizer typically delivers medication over a longer period and often requires an external power source or compressed air.