respiration

noun

res·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌre-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce respiration (audio)
1
a
: the movement of air or dissolved gases into and out of the lungs
b
: a single complete act of breathing
… the patient was cyanotic and unconscious with labored respirations at 40/min.Dorwyn W. Croom
2
: the physical and chemical processes (such as breathing and diffusion) by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
3
respiratory adjective

Examples of respiration in a Sentence

The doctor checked his heartbeat and respiration.
Recent Examples on the Web Hyland attached sensors to Bottas that measured data like his heart rate, brain activity, sweat production and respiration. Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Despite what the marketing suggests, very few wearables are FDA approved The Oura Ring 4, out this week, uses a variety of lights and sensors to measure your heart rate, respiration rate, blood oxygen, temperature, and movement. Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 Earning our Editor's Choice Award for high-end fitness tracker, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 measures tons of advanced metrics, including (underwater) heart rate, respiration rate, stress level, pulse ox, and more, with access to over 20 preloaded sports apps and on-screen animations. Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 8 Oct. 2024 After a fear episode, for example, the body’s powerful, life-saving threat response must be terminated to restore resting heartbeat, respiration, blood flow and the rest. R. Douglas Fields, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for respiration 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respiration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English respiracioun, from Latin respiration-, respiratio, from respirare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of respiration was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near respiration

Cite this Entry

“Respiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respiration. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

respiration

noun
res·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce respiration (audio)
1
: the act or process of breathing
2
: the physical processes (as breathing and diffusion) by which a living thing obtains the oxygen it needs to produce energy and eliminate waste gases (as carbon dioxide)
3
: any of various chemical reactions (as oxidation) in cells that release energy from food molecules (as glucose)

Medical Definition

respiration

noun
res·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce respiration (audio)
1
a
: the movement of respiratory gases (as oxygen and carbon dioxide) into and out of the lungs
b
: a single complete act of breathing
30 respirations per minute
2
: the physical and chemical processes (as breathing and diffusion) by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
3

More from Merriam-Webster on respiration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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