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

We catch a breather late Tuesday into Wednesday before another storm approaches from the south.

From Washington Post

As the trail ebbs away from the Connecticut River, leading me deeper into the snow-packed woods, I take a quick breather at the top of a small hill, and after a moment or two, I can actually hear my heart beating.

From Washington Post

These barriers suggest containment and isolation, and also provide a breather from the profusion of pictures and items.

From Washington Post

Right now I’m literally trying to make sure that my team is safe, make sure that the narrative around what’s going on with me is accurate, and take a little bit of a breather when I can.

From MIT Technology Review

With all the new iPhones officially out in the world, you might expect Apple to take a breather when it comes to announcing products until 2021.

From Popular-Science

The script attempted to recreate the hilarity from the original as Ferris decides that he needs to take another breather.

From The Daily Beast

Pleased with the two versions of “San Quentin,” Cash took a breather while Carl Perkins entertained the crowd.

From The Daily Beast

He wanted, he added a “fire-breather” to go against Michael Savage.

From The Daily Beast

The writers definitely picked the wrong week to give Richard Harrow (Jack Huston) a breather.

From The Daily Beast

It's a wonderful breather from the sequestration, Hagel hearings, Iran, taxes, Congress and the like.

From The Daily Beast

Cracks at the ball anyhow, was the game for the twenty-five minutes breather before dinner.

From Project Gutenberg

Pour new oil in through either of the two breather pipes on exhaust side of motor.

From Project Gutenberg

Orlando says to Jaques: ‘I will chide no breather in the world, but myself, against whom I know most faults.’

From Project Gutenberg

The atmosphere may be poisonous for an oxygen breather, but taken by itself it's as harmless as weak beer.

From Project Gutenberg

Said he, 'O breather of music, tell me how I may lay hand on the flower of beauty to bear it forth.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lull
• respite