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

The storm-weary central US will finally get a breather starting Sunday as a welcome change in weather pattern ushers in cooler temperatures. —Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

When Jokic’s next turn for a breather arrived at the start of the fourth quarter, Denver went small. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026

Are the Lomans meant to be Irish immigrants or is that a Boston dialect that is being affected when the cartoonish New Yorkese takes a breather? —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Preseason games are dress rehearsals for most teams anyway, and a second bye week would help players get healthier and get a breather in the midst of the battle. —Ernesto Cova, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 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