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

Example Sentences

Burning wood, coal and biomass indoors exposes families to high levels of smoke and toxic particles, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Gould said fossil fuel emissions are associated with various cancers, an increase in hospitalizations for older adults due to respiratory conditions, and asthma attacks or stunted lung growth in children.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

The company is also targeting early detection for bovine respiratory disease, which costs the American cattle industry $1 billion annually, says Ashley Sweeting, Agscent’s vice president for the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Researchers led by UVA School of Medicine scientist Jie Sun, PhD, discovered that severe respiratory infections can alter immune cells in the lungs in ways that support tumor growth months or even years later.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

“It was a typical ards picture—acute respiratory distress syndrome— like early pneumonia,” Dr. Silverstein said.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston