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

Often it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

From BBC

"When I was on the phone to 999, I saw her belly was moving so I knew she was breathing."

From BBC

Blinking is something people do automatically, much like breathing, without giving it much thought.

From Science Daily

This season, City are breathing down their necks, so can he finally get Arsenal over the line to end their long wait to claim the top-flight title, or will City and Guardiola reign supreme again?

From BBC

A year before Anderberg died, Matthew Bass, a 34-year-old British Airways flight attendant was having pizza and drinks with colleagues when he went to lie down and suddenly stopped breathing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• respiratory