breath

noun

1
a
: air filled with a fragrance or odor
b
: a slight indication : suggestion
the faintest breath of scandal
2
a
: the faculty of breathing
recovering his breath after the race
b
: an act of breathing
fought to the last breath
c
: opportunity or time to breathe : respite
3
: a slight breeze
4
a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
bad breath
b
: something (such as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing
5
: a spoken sound : utterance
6
Phrases
breath of fresh air
: a welcome or refreshing change
in one breath or in the same breath
: almost simultaneously
out of breath
: breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)
under one's breath
: so as to be barely audible
mumbled something under his breath

Examples of breath in a Sentence

When Oscar Wilde allegedly gestured at the garish wallpaper in his cheap Parisian hotel room and announced with his dying breath, "Either it goes or I go," he was exhibiting something beyond an irrepressibly brilliant wit. Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004
I ski as far as I can and stop (in these relatively low-altitude coastal mountains, you don't stop for breath the way you sometimes do in Colorado; here you stop when your legs demand a break) … Lito Tejada-Flores, Skiing, February 1999
gum that freshens your breath It's so cold outside that I can see my breath. My mad dash for the bus left me gasping for breath. I took a long breath before speaking again. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Her breath subtlely moved the grass, showing Earth as a living being while simultaneously situating her own being within Earth’s encompassing vitality. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 David Judson, who represents the fifth-generation of his family to run Judson Studios, held his breath. Peter Larsen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023 In Ann Arbor, Mich., 110,000-plus held their collective breath as Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord’s throw aimed toward the best wide receiver in the country seemed likely to be one more dart putting the Buckeyes in position for a game-winning touchdown. J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2023 But Friday’s halt in fighting brought the uprooted population a moment to catch their breath after weeks of fleeing bombardment across the tiny coastal enclave and trying to find increasingly scarce food, water, and other basic supplies. Najib Jobain, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Nov. 2023 The referee waved both away, decisively; nobody had to hold their breath, to wait for V.A.R. to have its say. Rory Smith, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 Highly focused, the season moves swiftly through the summer days of 1997 with a pace that forces viewers, despite knowing what’s coming, to hold their breath. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 Free-diving does not utilize underwater breathing apparatus such as scuba gear, instead relying on breath-holding for long periods. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023 Sitting astride a calm chestnut mare, his eyes closed, the soldier draws in a deep breath. Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breath.' 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 breth, from Old English brǣth; akin to Old High German brādam breath, and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast — more at barm

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of breath was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near breath

Cite this Entry

“Breath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breath. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

breath

noun
1
a
: air filled with a fragrance or odor
b
: a slight indication : suggestion
a faint breath of scandal
2
a
: the ability to breathe
b
: an act of breathing
3
: a slight breeze
4
a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
b
: something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breathing
5
: a spoken sound

Medical Definition

breath

noun
1
a
: the faculty of breathing
recovering her breath after the race
b
: an act or an instance of breathing or inhaling
2
a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
bad breath
b
: something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing

More from Merriam-Webster on breath

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