breathing

[ bree-thing ]

/ ˈbri ðɪŋ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: breathing / breathings on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of a person or other animal that breathes; respiration.

a single breath.

the short time required for a single breath.

a pause, as for breath.

utterance or words.

a gentle moving or blowing, as of wind.

Classical Greek Grammar.

the manner of articulating the beginning of a word written with an initial vowel sign, with or without aspiration before the vowel.
one of the two symbols used to indicate this.Compare rough breathing, smooth breathing.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of breathing

First recorded in 1350–1400, breathing is from the Middle English word brethynge.See breathe, -ing¹

OTHER WORDS FROM breathing

breath·ing·ly, adverbun·breath·ing, adjective

Words nearby breathing

breathe life into, breathe one's last, breather, breath group, breath-holding test, breathing, breathing bag, breathing reserve, breathing space, breathless, breath of fresh air

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use breathing in a sentence

From a corner of the room, or even the other side of a wall, Emerald can track a patient’s breathing, heartbeat, mobility, and other health markers.
Tackling covid|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
When it came to a tougher task — inserting a breathing tube — just about half pulled it off, Ebert and colleagues reported in January in Galveston, Texas, at the NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop.
What will astronauts need to survive the dangerous journey to Mars?|Maria Temming|July 15, 2020|Science News
Consider the safety of breathing in any particles from those filters, Fernandez advises.
Science offers recipes for homemade coronavirus masks|Kathiann Kowalski|May 14, 2020|Science News For Students
Just breathing can send some viruses into the air, data show.
How much do masks help against COVID-19?|Tina Hesman Saey|April 23, 2020|Science News For Students

Babies born too small can develop breathing problems and other health issues.
Decades-long project is linking our health to the environment|Lindsey Konkel|March 12, 2020|Science News For Students
He said, ‘They’re both shot in the head and neither of them are breathing.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both Rohan and Kalayjian recommend breathing in some fresh air each day.
9 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder|DailyBurn|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to the report, the evidence suggested that Mr. Stewart had stopped breathing before his arrival at Bellevue.
Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Police were giving them “a little breathing room,” according to Bratton.
After No Indictment for Eric Garner Killer, Is NYC the Next Ferguson?|Jacob Siegel|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So many eighteen-year-old girls,” says Oliona, “breathing down my neck.
Russia’s Gold Digger Academy|Peter Pomerantsev|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not a zephyr ruffled the leaf of a rose, and a soft breathing fragrance bathed his reposing senses.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
“Never mind that,” Jessie flung back over her shoulder, and still breathing easily as she set a slower stroke.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
Even the short stop had allowed their horses a breathing spell and they could now ride more leisurely.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
She sat still as a statue, scarce breathing, her eyes fixed upon the violet sky.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
The drops fell on the lips of the sleeping man, who was now breathing regularly.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for breathing

breathing

/ (ˈbriːðɪŋ) /

noun

the passage of air into and out of the lungs to supply the body with oxygen

a single breatha breathing between words

an utterancea breathing of hate

a soft movement, esp of air

a rest or pause

phonetics

expulsion of breath (rough breathing) or absence of such expulsion (smooth breathing) preceding the pronunciation of an initial vowel or rho in ancient Greek
either of two symbols indicating this

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for breathing

breathing

[ brē′ðĭng ]

The alternate inhalation and exhalation of air in respiration.

breathing

Origin of breathing

OTHER WORDS FROM breathing

Words nearby breathing

Words related to breathing

How to use breathing in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for breathing

Medical definitions for breathing