breather

American  

[bree-ther] / ˈbri ðər /

noun

breathers plural

1. a pause, as for breath.

   Synonyms:

   intermission, recess, timeout, break, rest

2. vigorous exercise that causes heavy breathing.

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.

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breather British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• breathers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of breather

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

Example Sentences

It’s best for everyone, Mace included, that she take a breather to touch grass.

From Slate • Jun. 13, 2026

Patti conceded that given how much they’ve rallied, chip stocks needed a breather, and worries about Iran and rising inflation and interest rates helped persuade investors to sell some of their winners.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

Markets finally took a breather last week after an historic run.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

But head coach Sergej Jakirovic will be sitting out the Sin City jaunt as he takes a more peaceful breather before the bright lights of the Premier League beckon.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

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

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• lull
• respite