breather

[bree-ther]

noun

1. a pause, as for breath.

   Synonyms: intermission, recess, timeout, break, rest

2. vigorous exercise that causes heavy breathing. breathe.

3. a person who breathes.

4. a vent in a container or covering, as in a casing for machinery or in a storage tank, to equalize interior and exterior pressure, permit entry of air, escape of fumes, or the like.

5. a device for providing air from the atmosphere to submerged or otherwise sealed-off persons, internal-combustion engines, etc..

   the snorkel breather of a submarine.

breather

/ ˈbriːðə /

noun

1. informal,  a short pause for rest

2. a person who breathes in a specified way

   a deep breather

3. a vent in a container to equalize internal and external pressure, such as the pipe in the crankcase of an internal-combustion engine

4. a small opening in a room, container, cover, etc, supplying air for ventilation

Word History and Origins

Origin of breather¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, breather is from the Middle English word brethere. See breathe, -er ¹

Example Sentences

As morning turned to afternoon, Mrs. Penworthy—that is to say, Simon— popped out of the inner room for a breather.

Read more on Literature

“The wheels are fine. Just giving the horse a breather.”

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But it might signal a rotation for the market into more defensive sectors, or at least a breather for technology stocks in light of their high valuations.

Read more on MarketWatch

But it might signal a rotation for the market into more defensive sectors, or at least a breather for technology stocks in light of their high valuations.

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Add to the list the Jan. 6, 2021, mouth breathers who stormed the Capitol.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• lull 
• respite