Showing results for "breathing"

• present participle of breathe.

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

• unbreathing
  adjective
• breathingly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of breathing

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

breathing

He began experiencing severe headaches and a few days later told his family his breathing was becoming more difficult.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

It’s not just the new Croissant bag that’s drawing from — and breathing new life into — the archive, it’s Maria Grazia Chiuri herself and even the Fendi woman she represents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

“I also think equity investors are breathing some kind of relief that the president is going to accept the results,” said Ron Albahary, chief investment officer of multifamily office LNW.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

The demos are lovely, ethereal sketches, documenting Townshend breathing life into his creations for the first time.

From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2026

“Midnight will tell you. His breathing will be harsh, labored. Sweat will make his coat shine. But, Will”—Caesar’s hands rest on my knee—“if you ask him, Midnight will give you his heart.”

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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Related Words

• respiratory

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