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 needed to take a breather, take a step back, and focus on how to run and operate these clinics,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Remember when the stock market used to take a breather every once in a while?

Read more on MarketWatch

The stock market seems to be taking a bit of a breather after registering another record high midweek.

Read more on MarketWatch

Markets took a breather on Thursday, with investors taking profits and riskier assets pulling back after the sharp rallies of recent weeks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some gold strategists say the metal could soon take a breather but is likely to continue rising.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• lull 
• respite