breathing
Americannoun
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the act of a person or other animal that breathes; respiration.
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a single breath.
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the short time required for a single breath.
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a pause, as for breath.
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utterance or words.
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a gentle moving or blowing, as of wind.
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Classical Greek Grammar.
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the manner of articulating the beginning of a word written with an initial vowel sign, with or without aspiration before the vowel.
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one of the two symbols used to indicate this.
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noun
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the passage of air into and out of the lungs to supply the body with oxygen
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a single breath
a breathing between words
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an utterance
a breathing of hate
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a soft movement, esp of air
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a rest or pause
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phonetics
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expulsion of breath ( rough breathing ) or absence of such expulsion ( smooth breathing ) preceding the pronunciation of an initial vowel or rho in ancient Greek
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either of two symbols indicating this
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of breathing
First recorded in 1350–1400, breathing is from the Middle English word brethynge. See breathe, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Declining homebuying demand is giving buyers breathing room.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
There may be dust storms, which contribute to “playa lung” — a term Burners have coined to describe a cough or losing one’s voice after breathing in dust daily.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
The setting not only tests the show’s main romance, it also provides Mare with breathing room and an opportunity to explore her professional ambitions more seriously.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
Burnham has already offered "breathing space" - as he calls it – on the cost of living by temporarily scrapping VAT on electricity bills from October.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
He stopped only to put his ear to Karli’s chest to listen for his breathing.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
