respirable

[res-per-uh-buhl, ri-spahyuhr-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being respired.

2. capable of respiring.

respirable

/ ˈrɛspɪrəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be breathed

2. suitable or fit for breathing

Other Word Forms

• respirability noun
• respirableness noun
• nonrespirable adjective
• unrespirable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of respirable¹

From the Late Latin word respīrābilis, dating back to 1770–80. See respire, -able

Example Sentences

“Why isn’t a more thorough investigation being done to look for suspended particles that are too light to settle on surfaces and that are still of respirable size, small enough to get into your lower lung?” said Dawn Bolstad-Johnson, an industrial hygienist who has studied exposures in post-fire environments.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The fabrication industry staunchly supports focused regulatory oversight and enforcement of workplace conditions that pose health risks from respirable crystalline silica,” it said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Labor Department rule lowers the permissible exposure limit of respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour average.

Read more on Seattle Times

Not understanding that it's inhalation, and that there's plenty of things bigger than respirable aerosols that can deposit in your nose, and in your large airways; and if there are susceptible cells there, it can cause infection; and can still hang in the air.

Read more on Salon

“The contribution of small respirable particles, sometimes called aerosols or droplet nuclei, to close proximity transmission is currently uncertain. However, airborne transmission from person-to-person over long distances is unlikely,” according to the guidance.

Read more on The Guardian