breathing

[ bree-thing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or other animal that breathes; respiration.
2. a single breath.
3. the short time required for a single breath.
4. a pause, as for breath.
5. utterance or words.
6. a gentle moving or blowing, as of wind.
7. Classical Greek Grammar.
   1. the manner of articulating the beginning of a word written with an initial vowel sign, with or without aspiration before the vowel.
   2. one of the two symbols used to indicate this. Compare rough breathing, smooth breathing.

breathing

/ ˈbriːðɪŋ /

noun

1. the passage of air into and out of the lungs to supply the body with oxygen
2. a single breath

   a breathing between words

3. an utterance

   a breathing of hate

4. a soft movement, esp of air
5. a rest or pause
6. phonetics
   1. expulsion of breath ( rough breathing ) or absence of such expulsion ( smooth breathing ) preceding the pronunciation of an initial vowel or rho in ancient Greek
   2. either of two symbols indicating this

Other Words From

• breathing·ly adverb
• un·breathing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of breathing¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, breathing is from the Middle English word brethynge. See breathe, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

It’s possible for babies to not cough and instead suffer from apnea — pauses in breathing that threaten their lives, according to the CDC.

From Los Angeles Times

It can take up to 24 hours for victims to start showing signs of illness which include: nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain which can escalate into hyperventilation and breathing problems.

From BBC

Vance posted on X that one of his right-wing critics was a “mouth breathing imbecile” and then deleted the post.

From Los Angeles Times

Deep breath in, slow breath out… Isn't it odd that we can self-soothe by slowing down our breathing?

From Science Daily

“The smoke affected me so much that I had to be taken to the hospital because I was having trouble breathing. It felt like I couldn’t breathe,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• respiratory