breath

[ breth ]

/ brɛθ /

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See synonyms for breath on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR breath

3 spirit, animation, vigor, force.

See synonyms for breath on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON OPPOSITES OF RED BEFORE YOU TURN SCARLET

We have a challenge that will make you blush: do you know the many words and ways to describe the opposite of red?

Question 1 of 7

Which of the following colors is used to symbolize AIR?

white

green

red

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

before 900; Middle English breth, breeth,Old English brǣth smell, exhalation; akin to German Brodem vapor, steam

OTHER WORDS FROM breath

in·ter·breath, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breath

breadth, breath , breathe

Words nearby breath

breast pump, breaststroke, breastsummer, breast wheel, breastwork, breath, breathable, breathalyse, Breathalyser, Breathalyzer, breath analyzer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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 News
She 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 Blade
Although 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.
How We Saved Our Neighborhood from a Wildfire|Dain Zaffke|September 2, 2020|Outside Online
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 Review

Alternative living, in my case vanlife, is a financial breath of fresh air.
The New Camper Companies Redefining Road Travel|Alex Temblador|August 27, 2020|Outside Online
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|DAILY BEAST
Throughout Christmas eve and day, the world is monitoring with bated breath.
Sweden’s Burning Christmas Goat|Nina Strochlic|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|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|DAILY BEAST
His 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|DAILY BEAST
It was one of those long moments that makes a fellow draw his breath sharp when he thinks about it afterward.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
While 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 Fay
Cease ye therefore from the man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for he is reputed high.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
He caught his breath, he paused, then stepped within on tiptoe, and the hush of four thousand years closed after him.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
He 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

breath

/ (brɛθ) /

noun

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 airhis breath on the window melted the frost

a slight gust of air

a short pause or resttake a breath for five minutes

a brief timeit was done in a breath

a suggestion or slight evidence; suspiciona breath of scandal

a whisper or soft sound

life, energy, or vitalitythe 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

Word Origin for breath

Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for breath

breath

[ brĕth ]

The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

A single respiration.

Other Idioms and Phrases with breath

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

breath

OTHER WORDS FOR breath

Idioms about breath

Origin of breath

OTHER WORDS FROM breath

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breath

Words nearby breath

Words related to breath

How to use breath in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for breath

Word Origin for breath

Medical definitions for breath

Other Idioms and Phrases with breath