breath
Americannoun
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breaths
plural
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the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
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respiration, especially as necessary to life.
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life; vitality.
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the ability to breathe easily and normally.
She stopped to regain her breath.
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time to breathe; pause or respite.
Give him a little breath.
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a single inhalation or respiration.
He took a deep breath.
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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.
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a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper.
The breath of slander never touched her.
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a light current of air.
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Phonetics.
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the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
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the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p ), (k ), (sh ), etc.
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moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.
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a trivial circumstance; trifle.
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an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.
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Obsolete. exhalation or vapor.
idioms
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save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion.
We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.
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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.
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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.
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in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously.
She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.
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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.
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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.
noun
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the intake and expulsion of air during respiration
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the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration
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a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc
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the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air
his breath on the window melted the frost
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a slight gust of air
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a short pause or rest
take a breath for five minutes
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a brief time
it was done in a breath
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a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion
a breath of scandal
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a whisper or soft sound
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life, energy, or vitality
the breath of new industry
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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
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a refreshing change from what one is used to
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to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion
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to wait expectantly or anxiously
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done or said at the same time
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gasping for air after exertion
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to refrain from useless talk
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to overwhelm with surprise, etc
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in a quiet voice or whisper
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Divers tied stone weights around their ankles and held their breath as they sank to the bottom of the shallows.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Platner, who turned 40 during the campaign, found immense support from other male Democrats close to his age who saw his campaign as the breath of fresh air the party needed to stay relevant.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
As they did on “Good Day L.A.,” they consistently interrupt one another and the chatter careens from one topic to the next without a breath.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
"We only asked for affordable flour, electricity and our basic rights," he says, trying to steady his breath through his sobs.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
The words slam into me, steal my breath, carve themselves into my brain so I don’t forget.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
And as Ma gasps her final breaths, she makes her smart little girl promise to never lose sight of her ultimate goal.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 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
The sigh of relief was like a million angel breaths.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
He could barely get through his statement, yet he took deep breaths and didn’t stop talking.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026
After a few deep calming breaths to quell her shaking hands, she managed to slit open the envelope and unfold the letter within.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
