respirator

noun

res·pi·ra·tor | \ ˈre-spə-ˌrā-tər

plural respirators

Definition of respirator

1 : a mask or device worn over the mouth and nose to protect the respiratory system by filtering out dangerous substances (such as dusts, fumes, or bacteria) from inhaled air

Note: Particulate respirator masks are only able to filter out particles and are not effective against gases or vapors. A numerical rating (such as 95 or 99) is sometimes assigned to such a respirator to indicate the percentage of airborne particles filtered. A letter may also be assigned to indicate whether it is somewhat resistant (R), not resistant (NR), or strongly resistant (P) to the degrading effects of oil on proper respirator function.

2 : a device for maintaining artificial respiration : ventilator sense b

Examples of respirator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ford has received patent-pending approval for a new, clear respirator mask, the company said. — Chronicle Staff, San Francisco Chronicle, "Coronavirus updates from the Bay Area and beyond: Feb. 4-10, 2021," 18 Feb. 2021 Lydall, which received $13.5 million from the U.S. Defense Department, makes the filtration media placed in the middle of three layers that make up an N95 respirator mask and surgical mask. — Stephen Singer, courant.com, "In the pandemic, Manchester manufacturer finds a niche making material for masks in high demand," 30 Sep. 2020 If caring for a patient in isolation, don N100 respirator mask and goggles. — James Walsh, Star Tribune, "Front-line workers deal with fears, unhappy customers," 29 Aug. 2020 The assistant director of nursing said the masks were special N95 masks that staff members preferred, however, a review of their policy required them to wear an N95 respirator mask, the report said. — Deon J. Hampton, The Enquirer, "Investigation: U.S. list of COVID-19 deaths leaves out some local nursing homes," 28 Aug. 2020 Vegh photographed the image above through a technician’s face shield and past its respirator mask valve. — National Geographic, "The 2 steps to defeat COVID-19," 5 Aug. 2020 Right now, every single respirator mask Honeywell makes at its U.S. plants goes straight to government stockpiles. — Thomas Black, Bloomberg.com, "Even Honeywell’s Mask Man Can’t Get Enough," 23 June 2020 Many health care workers have had to reuse N95 respirator masks over and over again. — Holly Yan, CNN, "As hospitals start to max out, medical workers beg officials for new Covid-19 mandates," 5 Dec. 2020 The doctor's face was covered behind a respirator and a plastic face shield. — NBC News, "He treated Houston's most desperate Covid patients. Then he became a victim.," 11 Dec. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about respirator

Dictionary Entries near respirator

respiration

respirational

respiration calorimeter

respirator

respiratorium

respiratory arrest

respiratory distress syndrome

Statistics for respirator

Last Updated

24 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Respirator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respirator. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for respirator

respirator

noun

English Language Learners Definition of respirator

: a device that you wear over your mouth and nose so that you can breathe when there is a lot of dust, smoke, etc., in the air

medical : a device that helps people to breathe when they are not able to breathe naturally

See the full definition for respirator in the English Language Learners Dictionary

respirator

noun

res·pi·ra·tor | \ ˈre-spə-ˌrā-tər

Kids Definition of respirator

1 : a device covering the mouth or nose especially to prevent the breathing in of harmful substances (as dust or fumes)

2 : a device used for helping a person to breathe

respirator

noun

res·pi·ra·tor | \ ˈres-pə-ˌrāt-ər

Medical Definition of respirator

1 : a mask or device worn over the mouth and nose to protect the respiratory system by filtering out dangerous substances (as dusts, chemical fumes, or bacteria) from inhaled air

Note: Particulate respirator masks are only able to filter out particles and are not effective against gases or vapors. A numerical rating (such as 95 or 99) is sometimes assigned to a particulate respirator to indicate the percentage of airborne particles filtered. A letter may also be assigned to indicate whether it is somewhat resistant (R), not resistant (NR), or strongly resistant (P) to the degrading effects of oil on proper respirator function.

2 : a device for maintaining artificial respiration : ventilator

Comments on respirator

What made you want to look up respirator? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).