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

The Brian that I knew is very much living and breathing in these songs.”

From Los Angeles Times

But with the herd producing up to 6,000 gallons of slurry a day, any breathing space can be quickly used up.

From BBC

The doctor listened with a stethoscope to the sisters’ breathing as the raps sounded.

From Literature

Had she not been there to see me fall and summon help, I would have been dead within minutes, as I landed in a position that cut off my breathing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Vinicius Jr celebrated his goal in the first leg by dancing near the corner flag - and he produced the same celebration on Wednesday after his 80th-minute strike gave Real breathing space in the tie.

From BBC

Related Words

• respiratory