breathing

American  

[bree-thing] / ˈbri ðɪŋ /

noun

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

2. a single breath.

3. the short time required for a single breath.

4. a pause, as for breath.

5. utterance or words.

6. a gentle moving or blowing, as of wind.

7. Classical Greek Grammar.

   1. the manner of articulating the beginning of a word written with an initial vowel sign, with or without aspiration before the vowel.

   2. one of the two symbols used to indicate this.

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breathing British  

/ ˈbriːðɪŋ /

noun

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

2. a single breath

   a breathing between words

3. an utterance

   a breathing of hate

4. a soft movement, esp of air

5. a rest or pause

6. phonetics

   1. expulsion of breath ( rough breathing ) or absence of such expulsion ( smooth breathing ) preceding the pronunciation of an initial vowel or rho in ancient Greek

   2. either of two symbols indicating this

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Other Word Forms

• breathingly
  adverb
• unbreathing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of breathing

First recorded in 1350–1400, breathing is from the Middle English word brethynge. See breathe, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

A deal gives Lululemon some breathing room to regroup as it prepares to welcome a new chief executive this fall.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Rollins embraced yoga, finding that the breathing techniques and especially the concentration gave him a new fluency with his instrument.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

And did he deliver with a drive that rolled to the right-field fence off pitcher Hudson December and finally gave the Patriots breathing room.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

The next day, "major red flags" began to emerge, including what Emily later learned was recessive breathing and a high heart rate.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Each boy is a walking, breathing, talking tornado.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• respiratory