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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use breath in a sentence
But there was a lot of drinking; not too many sober breaths were drawn.
Life After ‘SVU’: Christopher Meloni on ‘They Came Together,’ Stabler, and His Famous Behind | Marlow Stern | June 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTStart by breathing normally, then begin rapid in-and-out breaths through your nose.
I popped a teaspoon of coconut oil (purchased at Trader Joe's) into my mouth and took very deep breaths through my nose.
We Were Gwyneth’s GOOP Guinea Pigs | Erin Cunningham, Olivia Nuzzi | March 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGov. Richardson and I held our breaths, but kept our minds open and our hopes intact.
Ping-Pong Diplomacy Not An Option? Try Ding-Dong Diplomacy | Kevin Bleyer | January 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Griffins gather to say goodbye to Brian as he takes his last breaths.
‘Family Guy’ Killed Off Brian Last Night. It Was the Right Move. | Kevin Fallon | November 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The bears growl in stupefaction and rage, and take deep breaths to begin again.
Pressed close to the door, my mouth in the narrow opening, I draw quick, short breaths.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander BerkmanLittle breaths of air came softly—oh, so softly, and so deadly cold!
The Chequers | James RuncimanIt is serious, it is intensely conscious of family, but it can take deep breaths of freedom.
Jaffery | William J. Locke"I couldn't do it," admitted plump Mrs Everett, drawing deep breaths at the mere thought of such a thing.
In the Onyx Lobby | Carolyn Wells
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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