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

Exercise does the same thing to your body as stress does - it raises your heart rate, puts your blood pressure up, makes you breather faster and releases adrenaline and cortisol.

From BBC

None of this means that the hype machine underpinning most public expectations of AI has taken a breather.

From Los Angeles Times

While there has been little time for a breather and nothing is ever guaranteed, confidence remains high at St Andrew's.

From BBC

That depth should give Caldwell significant snaps while the starters catch a breather.

From Los Angeles Times

Tony Clark, the executive director of the players’ union, talked about the need for players to find “opportunities on the calendar to take a breather.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lull 
• respite