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breath
[breth]
noun
the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
respiration, especially as necessary to life.
life; vitality.
Synonyms: , , ,the ability to breathe easily and normally.
She stopped to regain her breath.
time to breathe; pause or respite.
Give him a little breath.
a single inhalation or respiration.
He took a deep breath.
the brief time required for a single respiration; a moment or instant.
They gave it to her and took it away all in a breath.
a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper.
The breath of slander never touched her.
a light current of air.
Phonetics.
the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p ), (k ), (sh ), etc.
moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.
a trivial circumstance; trifle.
an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.
Obsolete.exhalation or vapor.
breath
/ ɛθ /
noun
the intake and expulsion of air during respiration
the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration
a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc
the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air
his breath on the window melted the frost
a slight gust of air
a short pause or rest
take a breath for five minutes
a brief time
it was done in a breath
a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion
a breath of scandal
a whisper or soft sound
life, energy, or vitality
the breath of new industry
phonetics the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k) Compare voice
a refreshing change from what one is used to
to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion
to wait expectantly or anxiously
done or said at the same time
gasping for air after exertion
to refrain from useless talk
to overwhelm with surprise, etc
in a quiet voice or whisper
Other Word Forms
- interbreath adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of breath1
Word History and Origins
Origin of breath1
Idioms and Phrases
save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion.
We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.
take away one's breath, to make one as if breathless with astonishment; surprise; stun: Also take one's breath away.
The sheer beauty of the sea took away my breath.
catch one's breath, to pause or rest before continuing an activity or beginning a new one; resume regular breathing.
Let me catch my breath before I begin anything new.
in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously.
She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.
below / under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce.
He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up.
out of breath, exhausted or gasping for breath, in consequence of an effort; breathless.
After climbing to the top of the tower, we were so out of breath that we had to sit down.
Example Sentences
In the morning sunshine, with barely a breath of wind, it suddenly looked easier out in the middle than it had been at any point in this final.
“At the sight of a smoke column, most people feel a healthy hitch in their breath and want to run the other way,” she writes.
Retton reportedly refused a roadside breath test and a blood test.
For now, Spanish producers and exporters must hold their breath as EU negotiations take place with Washington.
“ it costs to just survive in Los Angeles County — it takes away my breath every day,” Mitchell said.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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