oxygen mask

American  

noun

1. a masklike device placed or worn over the nose and mouth when inhaling supplementary oxygen from an attached tank.

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oxygen mask British  

noun

1. a device, worn over the nose and mouth, to which oxygen is supplied from a cylinder or other source: used to aid breathing

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Etymology

Origin of oxygen mask

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Opposite Mona, her other son was holding an oxygen mask to his mouth and could not speak.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

I don’t like to spout clichés, but you do have to put your own oxygen mask on first in this situation.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

“To be clear: had I not donned my oxygen mask on that July flight, we would have killed every person on that aircraft,” Tellman wrote in a letter to his union detailing the experience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Like they say on airplanes, put on your own oxygen mask before helping others with theirs.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

Angel’s eyelids fluttered, then her eyes rolled in fear as she thrashed her arms wildly, pulling off the oxygen mask and screaming in terror.

From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper