respire

[ ri-spahyuhr ]

verb (used without object)

, re·spired, re·spir·ing.

1. to inhale and exhale air for the purpose of maintaining life; breathe.
2. to breathe freely again, after anxiety, trouble, etc.

verb (used with object)

, re·spired, re·spir·ing.

1. to breathe; inhale and exhale.
2. to exhale.

respire

/ rɪˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to inhale and exhale (air); breathe
2. intr to undergo the process of respiration
3. literary.
   to breathe again in a relaxed or easy manner, as after stress or exertion

Other Words From

• prere·spire verb (used with object) prerespired prerespiring
• unre·spired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of respire¹

1375–1425; late Middle English respiren < Latin respīrāre, equivalent to re- re- + spīrāre to breathe; spirit

Word History and Origins

Origin of respire¹

C14: from Latin rēspīrāre to exhale, from re- + spīrāre to breathe; see spirit ¹

Example Sentences

"Through previous work, we knew that Spartina alterniflora has sulfur bacteria in its roots and that there are two types: sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which use sulfide as an energy source, and sulfate reducers, which respire sulfate and produce sulfide, a known toxin for plants," Rolando said.

From Science Daily

Tiny pores on a leaf’s underside are arranged to take in carbon dioxide and respire water, allowing the plant to transform sunlight into energy.

From Seattle Times

On average, pregnant women suffer twice as many bites, as they respire 20% more carbon dioxide, and have a marginally elevated body temperature.

From The Guardian

In fact, Mr. Mann tweeted, even 6% would probably be too high, because “plants both photosynthesize and respire.”

From Washington Times

That oxygen was toxic to many species, but over time – as we well know – natural selection managed to come up with variants that were not only happy being bathed in oxygen but could respire it and in doing so jump onto a metabolic express train.

From Scientific American