respire

verb

re·​spire ri-ˈspī(-ə)r How to pronounce respire (audio)
respired; respiring

intransitive verb

1
: breathe
specifically : to inhale and exhale air successively
2
of a cell or tissue : to take up oxygen and produce carbon dioxide through oxidation

Examples of respire in a Sentence

Fish use their gills to respire. though unconscious, the patient is still respiring
Recent Examples on the Web In the soil around their roots, billions of fungi and soil bacteria respire as well. Jordan Fisher Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2010 Vegetables that respire at a higher rate keep better in the refrigerator crisper, where food retains more moisture than in the open space of the main refrigerator compartment, which can draw moisture out of produce. Anne-Marie Bonneau, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2021 Consider leafy vegetables, which immediately start to respire faster once they are cut. Nicola Temple, WSJ, 4 May 2018 The gases are then respired out of the lungs: literal fart breath. Brian Resnick, Vox, 3 Apr. 2018 In the 18th century and earlier, most baking was dictated by the delicate whims of respiring yeast. Ben Panko, Smithsonian, 20 June 2017 This makes sense, since roots are respiring organs. Bonnie Blodgett, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2017 In the 18th century and earlier, most baking was dictated by the delicate whims of respiring yeast. Ben Panko, Smithsonian, 21 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin respirare, from re- + spirare to blow, breathe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of respire was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near respire

Cite this Entry

“Respire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respire. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

respire

verb
re·​spire ri-ˈspī(ə)r How to pronounce respire (audio)
respired; respiring
: to engage in respiration
especially : breathe sense 1

Medical Definition

respire

verb
re·​spire ri-ˈspī(ə)r How to pronounce respire (audio)
respired; respiring

intransitive verb

1
: breathe
specifically : to inhale and exhale air successively
2
of a cell or tissue : to take up oxygen and produce carbon dioxide through oxidation
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