respire
verb
re·spire
ri-ˈspī(-ə)r 
respired; respiring
1
: breathe
specifically
: to inhale and exhale air successively
2
of a cell or tissue
: to take up oxygen and produce carbon dioxide through oxidation
Examples of respire in a Sentence
Fish use their gills to respire.
though unconscious, the patient is still respiring
Recent Examples on the Web
Vegetables that respire at a higher rate keep better in the refrigerator crisper, where food retains more moisture than in the open space of the main refrigerator compartment, which can draw moisture out of produce.
—
Anne-Marie Bonneau, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2021
Consider leafy vegetables, which immediately start to respire faster once they are cut.
—Nicola Temple, WSJ, 4 May 2018
The gases are then respired out of the lungs: literal fart breath.
—Brian Resnick, Vox, 3 Apr. 2018
In the 18th century and earlier, most baking was dictated by the delicate whims of respiring yeast.
—Ben Panko, Smithsonian, 21 June 2017
This makes sense, since roots are respiring organs.
—Bonnie Blodgett, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2017
In the soil around their roots, billions of fungi and soil bacteria respire as well.
—Jordan Fisher Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2010
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Anne-Marie Bonneau, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2021
Consider leafy vegetables, which immediately start to respire faster once they are cut.
—Nicola Temple, WSJ, 4 May 2018
The gases are then respired out of the lungs: literal fart breath.
—Brian Resnick, Vox, 3 Apr. 2018
In the 18th century and earlier, most baking was dictated by the delicate whims of respiring yeast.
—Ben Panko, Smithsonian, 21 June 2017
This makes sense, since roots are respiring organs.
—Bonnie Blodgett, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2017
In the soil around their roots, billions of fungi and soil bacteria respire as well.
—Jordan Fisher Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Respire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respire. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
respire
verb
re·spire
ri-ˈspī(ə)r
respired; respiring
: to engage in respiration
especially
: breathe sense 1
Medical Definition
respire
verb
re·spire
ri-ˈspī(ə)r
respired; respiring
1
: breathe
specifically
: to inhale and exhale air successively
2
of a cell or tissue
: to take up oxygen and produce carbon dioxide through oxidation
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