breathe

verb

\ ˈbrēt͟h

breathed; breathing

Definition of breathe

1a : to draw air into and expel it from the lungs : respire broadly : to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes

b : to inhale and exhale freely

2 : to blow softly

3 : live

4 : to pause and rest before continuing

5 : to feel free of restraint needs room to breathe

6a : to permit passage of air or vapor a fabric that breathes

b of an internal combustion engine : to use air to support combustion

c : to be cooled or dried by air that passes by or through clothing that allows your skin to breathe

7 of wine : to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air

8a : to become perceptible : be expressed a personality that breathes and that distinguishes his work— Bennett Schiff

b obsolete : to emit a fragrance or aura

transitive verb

1 : to inhale and exhale breathe air

2a : to send out by exhaling

b : to instill by or as if by breathing breathe new life into the movement

3 : to take in in breathing breathe the scent of pines

4a : utter, express don't breathe a word of it to anyone

b : to make manifest : evince the novel breathes despair

5 : to give rest from exertion to

6 : to spend a great deal of time, thought, or effort on (something) : to be wholly devoted to (some interest or activity) The Virginia native may not breathe basketball 24-7 … but during games and practice, his focus is second to none.— Robbi Pickeral As with visiting companies, one of the key reasons for going to conferences is to avoid the tunnel vision that can overcome managers who live and breathe their business.— Leslie Brokaw

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 or breathe easier or breathe easily or breathe freely

: to enjoy relief (as from pressure or danger)

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about breathe

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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 … 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 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 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 on the Web

Meaningful accents like these are given space to breathe against thoughtful neutrals, like a caramel ottoman and a sisal rug. — House Beautiful, "There's Pattern in Every Room of This Designer's Happy Home," 7 Mar. 2019 By the time the 90-minute bus trip was over, Jakelin had stopped breathing. — Dara Lind, Vox, "The death of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin in Border Patrol custody isn’t an isolated outrage," 18 Dec. 2018 The man was rushed to a hospital in Bay City, and later airlifted to the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) after the venom paralyzed his respiratory muscles, causing him to stop breathing, the Detroit Free Press reported. — Madeline Farber, Fox News, "Michigan man hospitalized for rare cobra bite; officials scramble to find antivenom," 31 July 2018 While paramedics provided aid, McNeil stopped breathing. — David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Residents angry over death of man arrested by police call for full staffing of review board," 9 July 2018 While chatting about random things, like the cracks in the ceiling, Marian stops breathing - a terrifying moment that sends Camille running to get help. — Emily Yahr, chicagotribune.com, "'Sharp Objects' premiere features one major difference from Gillian Flynn's novel," 9 July 2018 How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World comes out February 22, and after the movie kids will once again be enamored by the world of fire-breathing dragons and ferocious vikings. — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "The Hatching Baby Toothless Is the Perfect Gift For Your Aspiring Hiccup," 20 Feb. 2019 Measles is a highly infectious -- and potentially fatal -- viral illness that is typically spread by breathing or coughing. — Mark Lieber, CNN, "Measles vaccine recommended for those attending World Cup," 6 June 2018 Once the father and child arrive at the station the father advises that the child is not breathing. — Aaron Rupar, Vox, "Migrant girl dies in Border Patrol’s custody," 15 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'breathe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.