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

A weaker respiratory season, with a 30% drop in U.S. flu visits, and slower China sales impacted QuidelOrtho’s Q1 revenue.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

The suit alleged the turbines emit pollution and hazardous chemicals that have been linked to increases in asthma, respiratory diseases, heart problems and certain cancers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The team also used indirect calorimetry with respiratory gas analysis to better understand energy use.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

Children also have higher respiratory rates than adults, as well as larger lung surface area relative to their body size, resulting in higher doses of pollution per breath.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

“She’s in with the respiratory therapists right now. They’re running tests to see how her lungs are functioning and whether she can be weaned off the ventilator.”

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman