breathtaking

adjective breath·tak·ing \ ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of breathtaking

1 : causing one to breathe rapidly or with difficulty : making one out of breath

a breathtaking pain in her side

2 a : exciting, thrilling

a breathtaking race

b : very great : astonishing

his breathtaking ignorance

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breathtakingly

play \-kiŋ-lē\ adverb

See breathtaking defined for English-language learners

See breathtaking defined for kids

Examples of breathtaking in a Sentence

The train raced past with breathtaking speed.
They gave a breathtaking performance.
The view of the mountains was breathtaking.
a scene of breathtaking beauty
The scope of the error is breathtaking.

Recent Examples of breathtaking from the Web

The lava occasionally flows into the ocean, expanding the boundaries of the Big Island and providing breathtaking views for tourists.

— trevor hughes, USA TODAY, "Lava flow from Hawaii volcano could last for weeks — and gas masks won't keep you safe," 15 May 2018
But many tourists go for the breathtaking views of the harbor, turn around and come back without ever leaving the terminal.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Deal could restart stalled N.Y. Ferris wheel tourism project," 13 May 2018
But many tourists go for the breathtaking views of the harbor, turn around and come back without ever leaving the terminal.

— Washington Post, "Deal could restart stalled NYC Ferris wheel tourism project," 13 May 2018
But many tourists go for the breathtaking views of the harbor, turn around and come back without ever leaving the terminal.

— karen matthews, The Seattle Times, "Deal could restart stalled NYC Ferris wheel tourism project," 13 May 2018
Hike along the bluffs of Torrey Pines State Reserve and enjoy the breathtaking views and indigenous plant life along the trails.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top 15 things to do for free in San Diego," 13 May 2018
The lush grounds, breathtaking views, and one-of-a-kind venue locations create a unique environment for overnight stays of day trippers.

— amy aumick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Marion County, where resorts cater to horses," 6 May 2018
Commanding heights: The hills of Porter Ranch have long been renowned for their breathtaking views, courtesy of the winds that whip through the passes and clear out the smog.

— scott garner, latimes.com, "Neighborhood Spotlight: Porter Ranch a scenic Valley community under a lingering cloud of unease," 27 Apr. 2018
Don't forget to climb to the top of the Ruby Falls Castle for more breathtaking views on your way out!

— tara massouleh, AL.com, "How to spend 24 hours in Chattanooga, Tennessee," 25 Apr. 2018

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