1
a
: air filled with a fragrance or odor
b
: a slight indication : suggestion
the faintest breath of scandal
2
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
c
5
: a spoken sound : utterance
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
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
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
Phrases Containing breath
Articles Related to breath
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
breath
noun1
a
: air filled with a fragrance or odor
b
: a slight indication : suggestion
a faint breath of scandal
2
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
More from Merriam-Webster on breath
Nglish: Translation of breath for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of breath for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share