breath

noun

ˈbreth 

1

a

: air filled with a fragrance or odor

b

: a slight indication : suggestion

the faintest breath of scandal

2

a

: the faculty of breathing

recovering his breath after the race

b

: an act of breathing

fought to the last breath

c

: opportunity or time to breathe : respite

3

: a slight breeze

4

a

: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing

bad breath

b

: something (such as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing

c

: inhalation

5

: a spoken sound : utterance

6

: spirit, animation

Phrases

breath of fresh air

: a welcome or refreshing change

in one breath or in the same breath

: almost simultaneously

out of breath

: breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)

under one's breath

: so as to be barely audible

mumbled something under his breath

Synonyms

• break
• breather
• interruption
• lull
• pause
• recess

Examples of breath in a Sentence

When Oscar Wilde allegedly gestured at the garish wallpaper in his cheap Parisian hotel room and announced with his dying breath, "Either it goes or I go," he was exhibiting something beyond an irrepressibly brilliant wit. —Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004

I ski as far as I can and stop (in these relatively low-altitude coastal mountains, you don't stop for breath the way you sometimes do in Colorado; here you stop when your legs demand a break) … —Lito Tejada-Flores, Skiing, February 1999

gum that freshens your breath

It's so cold outside that I can see my breath.

My mad dash for the bus left me gasping for breath.

I took a long breath before speaking again.

Recent Examples on the Web

The world now holds its breath if Taiwan trends on social media. —Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Americans probably shouldn’t hold their breath though. —USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

After months of back-and-forth negotiations, frustration and — at times — fireworks between legislators, the $51.8 million deal is on its last breath as the bill to cancel the sale passed Wednesday night and headed to Gov. Brad Little for his signature or veto. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2024

Instead, opt for dental chews or treats designed to freshen their breath naturally. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

With the northward migration in full swing, poultry farmers like Caleb Barron are holding their breath. —Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

At the Thursday news conference, the mayor and other speakers teared up, took deep breaths between statements and became visibly emotional when detailing the horror. —Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

Out of breath, police officer Dmytro Piddubnyi is recording the scene on his phone and providing a commentary. —Andy Carey, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

The actor and musician attended the Aerie REAL Fest in Atlanta over the weekend looking like a breath of fresh spring air in a curly bob that hit just between her chin and collarbones. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English breth, from Old English brǣth; akin to Old High German brādam breath, and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast — more at barm

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing breath

• baby's breath
• bad breath
• breath of fresh air
• breath work
• draw breath
• breath test
• catch one's breath
• in one breath
• hold one's breath
• gets short of breath
• fight for breath
• short of breath
• shortness of breath
• pant for breath
• on one's breath
• morning breath
• last/dying breath
• with bated breath
• take someone's breath away
• take one's breath away
• take a deep breath
• waste one's breath
• take a breath
• under one's breath
• fighting/struggling for breath
• out of breath
• in the same breath

Kids Definition

breath

noun

ˈbreth 

1

a

: air filled with a fragrance or odor

b

: a slight indication : suggestion

a faint breath of scandal

2

a

: the ability to breathe

b

: an act of breathing

c

: breather sense 2

3

: a slight breeze

4

a

: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing

b

: something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breathing

5

: a spoken sound

Medical Definition

breath

noun

ˈbreth 

1

a

: the faculty of breathing

recovering her breath after the race

b

: an act or an instance of breathing or inhaling

2

a

: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing

bad breath

b

: something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing