breathing

1 of 2

noun

breath·​ing ˈbrē-t͟hiŋ 

: either of the marks ʽ and ʼ used in writing Greek to indicate aspiration or its absence

breathing

2 of 2

present participle of breathe

Examples of breathing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To that end, Washington needs to grant Russia and China more breathing room in return for their readiness to exercise restraint within their regions. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

The pause wasn’t enough, and his hands reached for an inhalator, a large masklike breathing device sitting next to his chair. — Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Bronchial asthma, or simply asthma, is, according to the Cleveland Clinic, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes the breathing tubes in the lungs to swell, narrow, and produce extra mucus. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026

Poetic structure, such as cadence, meter and rhyme, invokes rhythms that tie into human heartbeats and breathing. — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1696, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing breathing

• air-breathing
• breathing space
• breathing tube
• fire-breathing
• rough breathing
• smooth breathing

Rhymes for breathing

• sheathing
• teething
• rebreathing