breath

noun

ˈbreth 

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

c

: inhalation

5

: a spoken sound : utterance

6

: spirit, animation

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

Synonyms

• break
• breather
• interruption
• lull
• pause
• recess

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

So when the show’s producer suggests that the speech be cut, Kwame finds himself in danger of being silenced in the same breath with James. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Something profound will be revealed to you that could change your path forward forever — so close your eyes, take deep breaths and listen closely. —Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024

Mattel has also teased movies about — deep breath — American Girl dolls, Barney, the Magic 8 Ball, action figure Major Matt Mason, the Masters of the Universe, Thomas the Tank Engine, the card game Uno and the ocular toy View-Master. —Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024

The depth and intimacy that his writings bring forth is a breath of fresh air. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024

The view from the crest of the hill will take your breath away — or was that just the steep climb to the top? —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024

Enjoy a breath of freshly humidified air with one of our top picks. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2024

The world now holds its breath if Taiwan trends on social media. —Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Americans probably shouldn’t hold their breath though. —USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing breath

• baby's breath
• bad breath
• breath of fresh air
• breath test
• breath work
• catch one's breath
• draw breath
• fight for breath
• fighting/struggling for breath
• gets short of breath
• hold one's breath
• in one breath
• in the same breath
• last/dying breath
• morning breath
• on one's breath
• out of breath
• pant for breath
• shortness of breath
• short of breath
• take a breath
• take a deep breath
• take one's breath away
• take someone's breath away
• under one's breath
• waste one's breath
• with bated breath

Kids Definition

breath

noun

ˈbreth 

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

c

: breather sense 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

Medical Definition

breath

noun

ˈbreth 

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