- present participle of breathe.
breathing
Americannoun
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the act of a person or other animal that breathes; respiration.
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a single breath.
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the short time required for a single breath.
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a pause, as for breath.
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utterance or words.
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a gentle moving or blowing, as of wind.
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Classical Greek Grammar.
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the manner of articulating the beginning of a word written with an initial vowel sign, with or without aspiration before the vowel.
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one of the two symbols used to indicate this.
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noun
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the passage of air into and out of the lungs to supply the body with oxygen
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a single breath
a breathing between words
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an utterance
a breathing of hate
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a soft movement, esp of air
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a rest or pause
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phonetics
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expulsion of breath ( rough breathing ) or absence of such expulsion ( smooth breathing ) preceding the pronunciation of an initial vowel or rho in ancient Greek
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either of two symbols indicating this
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of breathing
First recorded in 1350–1400, breathing is from the Middle English word brethynge. See breathe, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“This keeps an energy-risk premium in the market and limits how far investors can price out inflation risk, even as today’s Treasury announcement gives risk assets some breathing space.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
The slow, intentional pace of tai chi paired with conscious breathing and present-moment awareness, Swanson says, also help release stress.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Tai chi, a gentle form of exercise based on gentle movements and breathing techniques, is another option.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
Rather than wake the person, Rubio said he kept watching for signs of breathing until the passenger finally stirred.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
In another minute, her breathing returns to normal.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
