respiratory

American  

[res-per-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ri-spahyuhr-uh-] / ˈrɛs pər əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, rɪˈspaɪər ə- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or serving for respiration.

   respiratory disease.

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respiratory British  

/ -trɪ, ˈrɛspərətərɪ, ˌrɛspəˈreɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affecting respiration or the organs used in respiration

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Etymology

Origin of respiratory

1780–90; < Late Latin respīrātōrius, equivalent to Latin respīrā ( re ) to respire + -tōrius -tory ¹

Explanation

The word respiratory is an adjective describing anything related to respiration: how we breathe. In addition to the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems, the body has a respiratory system: this is how we get and use oxygen, which we need to survive. The respiratory system also expels carbon dioxide, which we don’t use. The main respiratory organs are the lungs. Asthma and bronchitis are respiratory diseases, because they make breathing difficult. When you see the word respiratory, just take a deep breath and you’ll remember the meaning.

Example Sentences

The chemical is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes in humans, and can cause respiratory and neurological symptoms with exposure, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Higher levels of exposure can lead to severe respiratory issues and hospitalization, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

At very high levels of exposure, “it can really cause severe respiratory distress and hospitalization,” Chinsio-Kwong said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

The rare respiratory disease, for which there is no cure, typically spreads through the urine, feces and saliva of infected rodents.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Nicolas went off to preach at the cafeteria in the university, where he acquired an impressive number of followers for his classes in spiritual and respiratory exercise.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende