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 of breather

• pause
• lull
• breath
• break

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

Next week serves as a breather after the earnings season mania of the past few weeks. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 May 2026

Bochy, seeking a full mental breather, would tell the player to assume he wouldn’t be called upon in that game. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026

Take a breather and do something that allows for a new perspective before engaging again. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Those of us who love her were able to finally take a breather on this one when the film bros eventually shut up and were able to admit that Hathaway totally whips ass in this franchise closer. —Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing breather

• mouth breather

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