breather

noun

breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər 

1

: one that breathes

2

: a break in activity for rest or relief

3

: a small vent in an otherwise airtight enclosure

Synonyms

• break
• breath
• interruption
• lull
• pause
• recess

Examples of breather in a Sentence

He decided to give them a breather.

took a breather from the seemingly endless task of sorting through years of stuff stored in the attic

Recent Examples on the Web

Conclave helmer Edward Berger, meanwhile, isn’t licking his wounds from the Academy’s Best Director snub; his new film — a Netflix production — will likely head straight to the fall festivals, giving him a breather after Conclave‘s last-minute stall at the Oscars. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025

The spending dip comes with some caution and important context: Shoppers typically take a breather after holiday spending sprees, and January had some major weather and wildfires. —Alicia Wallace, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025

Here’s how: Take a breather in Gülhane Park Escape from the Old City crowds with a quick stroll under the sycamore and cypress trees in this leafy urban green space. —Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

In other words, take this day to grab a breather and enjoy some time out. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for breather

• either
• neither

Kids Definition

breather

noun

breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər 

1

: one that breathes

2

: a pause for rest : break

Medical Definition

breather

noun

breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər 

: one that breathes usually in a specified way see mouth breather