breathe

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verb \ˈbrēth\

Definition of breathe

breathed

;

breathing

intransitive verb
1a : to draw air into and expel it from the lungs : respire; broadly : to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processesb : to inhale and exhale freely
2 : live
3a obsolete : to emit a fragrance or aurab : to become perceptible : be expressed a personality that breathes and that distinguishes his work — Bennett Schiff
4 : to pause and rest before continuing
5 : to blow softly
6 : to feel free of restraint needs room to breathe
7 of wine : to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air
8a : to permit passage of air or vapor a fabric that breathesb of an internal combustion engine : to use air to support combustion
transitive verb
1a : to send out by exhalingb : to instill by or as if by breathing breathe new life into the movement
2 : to give rest from exertion to
3 : to take in in breathing breathe the scent of pines
4 : to inhale and exhale breathe air
5a : utter, express don't breathe a word of it to anyoneb : to make manifest : evince the novel breathes despair

breathe down one's neck

1 : to threaten especially in attack or pursuit
2 : to keep one under close or constant surveillance parents always breathing down his neck

breathe easy

breathe easier

breathe easily

breathe freely

: to enjoy relief (as from pressure or danger)

See breathe defined for English-language learners

See breathe defined for kids

Examples of breathe in a Sentence

No one was more grief-stricken by Lincoln's assassination than Stanton, who spoke the imperishable words as the president breathed his last: “Now he belongs to the ages.” —James M. McPherson, New York Times Book Review, 6 Nov. 2005
However, liquid nitrogen is not used for higher levels of fog because breathing this substance is unsafe. Dry ice is a safer material, and can be used either at ground level or higher. —Patricia D. Netzley, Encylopedia Of Movie Special Effects, 2000
Earth is surrounded by a life-giving gaseous envelope called the atmosphere. This thin blanket of air is an integral part of the planet. It not only provides the air that we breathe but also acts to protect us from the dangerous radiation emitted by the Sun. —Frederick K. Lutgens et al., The Atmosphere, 1979/2001
… The tinder burned all right, but that was as far as I got. I blew on it, I breathed on it, I cupped it in my hands, but no sooner did I add twigs than the whole thing went black. —Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain, (1959) 2001
He was breathing hard from running.
The patient suddenly stopped breathing.
I can hardly breathe with all this smoke.
He wants to live where he can breathe clean air.
a dragon that breathes fire
People usually contract the virus by breathing contaminated air.
Breathe deeply and then exhale.
I'll never give up as long as I'm still breathing.
a living, breathing human being

Recent Examples of breathe from the Web

Current obsessions: Matthew Quinn and his new kitchen book; Miles Redd for Schumacher fabrics; Black Label from Zinc and Romo fabrics, Bernhardt’s latest line; Sarah Atkinson for Grey Furniture; and anything that Kelly Wearstler breathes on.

— linda jerkins, ajc, "Atlanta design duo brings sense of humor to job", 2 July 2016
Privately, Senate leaders breathed a sigh of relief.

— julie hirschfeld davis and jonathan martin, New York Times, "Obama Endorses Hillary Clinton, and Urges Democrats to Unite", 9 June 2016
American soccer fans breathed a sigh of relief after the men’s national team drilled Guatemala, 4-0, on Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio.

— victor mather, New York Times, "Relax, U.S. Soccer Fans. Making the World Cup Shouldn’t Be a Problem.", 30 Mar. 2016
Since Tesla and Space X founder Elon Musk breathed new life into a century-old concept in 2013, the Hyperloop has gone from a sketch to a number of companies jostling for the best idea—one that may put the American rail system out of business.

— laura dannen redman, CNT, "Would You Ride a Train That Goes the Speed of Sound?", 14 Mar. 2016
Ezekiel is reported to have had a fever, runny nose and trouble breathing for weeks before his death.

— ajc, "Toddler dies after anti-vaccine parents allegedly treated his meningitis with maple syrup", 10 Mar. 2016
Jessica Reyes, an economist at Amherst College, has argued that the children born after that law took effect breathed in less lead from car exhaust and that their brains were healthier as a result.

— max ehrenfreund, Washington Post, "We’ve had a massive decline in gun violence in the United States. Here’s why.", 3 Dec. 2015
Now as an American citizen, living and breathing the madness of the Big Apple, not a day goes by when my love affair with New York City is not blooming, captured in snapshots from all possible angles.

— emily anne epstein, The Atlantic, "Photographing the American Dreamers", 2 Sep. 2015
Health-insurance companies are some of the greediest and most heartless bastards into whom god ever breathed life.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Further Proof Voucher Systems Don't Work", 12 Dec. 2012

These example sentences are collected from online sources. Help us improve them by sending feedback.

Origin and Etymology of breathe

Middle English brethen, from breth —see breath

First Known Use: 14th century

BREATHE Defined for English Language Learners

breathe

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verb \ˈbrēth\

Definition of breathe for English Language Learners

: to move air into and out of your lungs : to inhale and exhale
: to send (something) out from your lungs through your mouth or nose
: to take (something) into your lungs through your mouth or nose

BREATHE Defined for Kids

breathe

play

verb \ˈbrēth\

Definition of breathe for Students

breathed

;

breathing

1 : to draw air into and expel it from the lungs
2 : to take in by inhaling … Esperanza would take Mama's hands … and breathe in the fresh smell. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising
3 : ¹live 1 He still breathes.
4 : ¹say 1, utter Don't breathe a word of this.