Main Entry: res·pi·ra·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English respiracioun, from Latin respiration-, respiratio, from respirare

Date: 15th century

1 a : the placing of air or dissolved gases in intimate contact with the circulating medium of a multicellular organism (as by breathing) b : a single complete act of breathing
2 : the physical and chemical processes by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
3 : any of various energy-yielding oxidative reactions in living matter

— re·spi·ra·to·ry \ˈres-p(ə-)rə-ˌtȯr-ē, ri-ˈspī-rə-\ adjective