breath

American  

[breth] / brɛθ /

noun

• breaths
  plural

1. the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

2. respiration, especially as necessary to life.

3. life; vitality.

   Synonyms:

   force, vigor, animation, spirit

4. the ability to breathe easily and normally.

   She stopped to regain her breath.

5. time to breathe; pause or respite.

   Give him a little breath.

6. a single inhalation or respiration.

   He took a deep breath.

7. 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.

8. a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper.

   The breath of slander never touched her.

9. a light current of air.

10. Phonetics.

    1. the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.

    2. the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p ), (k ), (sh ), etc.

11. moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.

12. a trivial circumstance; trifle.

13. an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.

14. Obsolete. exhalation or vapor.

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idioms

1. save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion.

   We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.

2. take away one's breath, to make one as if breathless with astonishment; surprise; stun: Also take one's breath away.

   The sheer beauty of the sea took away my breath.

3. 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.

4. in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously.

   She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.

5. 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.

6. 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.

breath British  

/ brɛθ /

noun

1. the intake and expulsion of air during respiration

2. the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration

3. a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc

4. the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air

   his breath on the window melted the frost

5. a slight gust of air

6. a short pause or rest

   take a breath for five minutes

7. a brief time

   it was done in a breath

8. a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion

   a breath of scandal

9. a whisper or soft sound

10. life, energy, or vitality

    the breath of new industry

11. 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

12. a refreshing change from what one is used to

13. to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion

14. to wait expectantly or anxiously

15. done or said at the same time

16. gasping for air after exertion

17. to refrain from useless talk

18. to overwhelm with surprise, etc

19. in a quiet voice or whisper

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breath More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing breath

• 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interbreath
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• breaths
  plural

Etymology

Origin of breath

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

Explanation

Breath is the process of taking air in and out of your lungs. It’s also the air you inhale and exhale, or a slight movement of air, like a breeze. Breath comes from the Old English braeth (“scent" or "smell”). Many figures of speech originate with the idea that breathing deeply energizes or calms us. You can "catch your breath" by slowing down, and you might "take a breath" by taking a break or walking away from a stressful situation. A "breath of fresh air" might be just that, or, metaphorically, it might signal the arrival of something new and different that invigorates us or refocuses our attention.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

breath breaths

Alonso is a breath of fresh air too, and I think he will begin with a win.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

It causes the number of red blood cells in the body to be reduced and leads to fatigue and shortness of breath.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Holding her breath, Kanowa maneuvered her vehicle to get the perfect shot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

This can lead to severe shortness of breath, fatigue, and repeated trips to the hospital.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026

I suck in a breath when I see that one of the first on the list is The New York Times.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Then, a few short breaths later, Sanders was running for, and winning, the Arkansas governor’s office once occupied by Bill Clinton.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

It is one of the highest-altitude golf courses in North America, and LIV golfers took deep breaths before answering press questions about reports that the organization was on the verge of collapse.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026

For the next seven hours he staggered and crawled upward, at times needing five or six breaths for every step.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026

The academic recalled during the Apollo missions to the Moon, "we all held our breaths a little bit."

From Barron's ● Apr. 5, 2026

Dad takes a few long, deep breaths over the phone.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

• sigh
• smell
• whiff