breath
the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
respiration, especially as necessary to life.
life; vitality.
the ability to breathe easily and normally: She stopped to regain her breath.
time to breathe; pause or respite: Give him a little breath.
a single inhalation or respiration: He took a deep breath.
the brief time required for a single respiration; a moment or instant: They gave it to her and took it away all in a breath.
a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper: The breath of slander never touched her.
a light current of air.
Phonetics.
the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p), (k), (sh), etc.
moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.
a trivial circumstance; trifle.
an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.
Obsolete. exhalation or vapor.
Idioms about breath
below / under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce: He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up.
catch one's breath, to pause or rest before continuing an activity or beginning a new one; resume regular breathing: Let me catch my breath before I begin anything new.
in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously: She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.
out of breath, exhausted or gasping for breath, in consequence of an effort; breathless: After climbing to the top of the tower, we were so out of breath that we had to sit down.
save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion: We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.
take away one's breath, to make one as if breathless with astonishment; surprise; stun: The sheer beauty of the sea took away my breath.: Also take one's breath away.
Origin of breath
1Other words for breath
Other words from breath
- in·ter·breath, adjective
Words that may be confused with breath
Words Nearby breath
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use breath in a sentence
If they have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or an abnormal heart beat, he says, they should see a doctor.
College athletes show signs of possible heart injury after COVID-19 | Aimee Cunningham | September 11, 2020 | Science NewsShe told the Blade she only sleeps a few hours a night, she has no strength and walking a few feet leaves her out of breath.
Cuban doctor contracts coronavirus in ICE custody | Yariel Valdés González | September 9, 2020 | Washington BladeAlthough one of the major problems they have to deal with is rescuing people who refuse to evacuate, under their breath they thanked us for saving these homes.
For example, people with type 2 diabetes are often overweight and have shortness of breath.
How special relativity can help AI predict the future | Will Heaven | August 28, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewAlternative living, in my case vanlife, is a financial breath of fresh air.
In the next breath, however, he is decrying the press misinterpretation of his Diana script.
Harry’s Daddy, and Diana’s ‘Murder’: Royal Rumors In a New Play | Tom Sykes | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThroughout Christmas eve and day, the world is monitoring with bated breath.
He died in July after being grabbed around the throat by a cop and wrestled to ground where the breath flew out of him.
The Wildly Peaceful, Human, Almost Boring, Ultimately Great New York City Protests for Eric Garner | Mike Barnicle | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“Every time you see me, you want to mess with me,” Garner exclaimed, short of breath.
Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem | Marlow Stern | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHis breath became so strained that he was forced to quit his job as a horticulturalist for the parks department.
Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem | Marlow Stern | December 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was one of those long moments that makes a fellow draw his breath sharp when he thinks about it afterward.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairWhile you were admiring the long roll of the wave, a sudden spray would be dashed over you, and make you catch your breath!
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayCease ye therefore from the man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for he is reputed high.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousHe caught his breath, he paused, then stepped within on tiptoe, and the hush of four thousand years closed after him.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodHe is on the violin what Liszt is on the piano, and is the only artist worthy to be mentioned in the same breath with him.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay
British Dictionary definitions for breath
/ (brɛθ) /
the intake and expulsion of air during respiration
the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration
a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc
the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air: his breath on the window melted the frost
a slight gust of air
a short pause or rest: take a breath for five minutes
a brief time: it was done in a breath
a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion: a breath of scandal
a whisper or soft sound
life, energy, or vitality: the breath of new industry
phonetics the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k): Compare voice (def. 11)
a breath of fresh air a refreshing change from what one is used to
catch one's breath to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion
hold one's breath to wait expectantly or anxiously
in the same breath done or said at the same time
out of breath gasping for air after exertion
save one's breath to refrain from useless talk
take one's breath away to overwhelm with surprise, etc
under one's breath or below one's breath in a quiet voice or whisper
Origin of breath
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with breath
In addition to the idiom beginning with breath
- breathe down someone's neck
- breathe easy
- breathe life into
- breathe one's last
- breathing space
- breath of fresh air
also see:
- catch one's breath
- hold one's breath
- in the same breath
- out of breath
- save one's breath
- take one's breath away
- under one's breath
- waste one's breath
- with bated breath
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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