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

His inquest earlier this year heard that neither the coaches nor the 999 call handler recognised his irregular, shallow breathing was a sign of cardiac arrest.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Previous experiments revealed two distinct forms of breathing behavior in these lasers.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

James Daunt, the chief executive credited with breathing new life into the retailer, is clarifying the store’s stance on stocking its shelves with AI-written books.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Gulbadan's surviving granddaughter put on a little weight and her breathing stabilised.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

They were buried in the snow and were breathing through the holes.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Related Words

• respiratory