Definition of breath | Collins English Dictionary

breath (brɛθ)

the intake and expulsion of air during respiration
the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration
a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc
the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air ⇒ his breath on the window melted the frost
a slight gust of air
a short pause or rest ⇒ take a breath for five minutes
a brief time ⇒ it was done in a breath
a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion ⇒ a breath of scandal
a whisper or soft sound
life, energy, or vitality ⇒ the breath of new industry
phonetics the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k) Compare voice (sense 11)
See a breath of fresh air
See catch one's breath
See hold one's breath
See in the same breath
See out of breath
See save one's breath
See take one's breath away
See under one's breath

Old English brǣth ; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath

View thesaurus entry

= air, wind, oxygen, puff,

= gust, sigh, puff, flutter, flurry, whiff, draught, waft, zephyr, slight movement faint breeze

= odour, smell, aroma, whiff, vapour, niff,

= life, energy, existence, vitality, animation, life force, lifeblood, mauri,

British English: breath Your breath is the air which you take into and let out of your lungs when you breathe.I could smell the garlic on his breath.brɛθ NOUN I could smell the garlic on his breath.
Spanish: aliento nm
French: haleine nf
German: Atem nm
Chinese: 呼吸 n
Arabic: نَفَس n
Portuguese: respiração nf
Russian: дыхание nnt
Croatian: dah nm
Czech: dech nm
Danish: ånde nutr
Dutch: adem nm
Finnish: hengitys n
Greek: ανάσα nf
Italian: respiro nm
Japanese: 息 n
Korean: 숨 n
Norwegian: pust nm
Polish: oddech nm
Brazilian Portuguese: respiração nf
European Spanish: aliento nm
Swedish: andetag nnt
Thai: ลมหายใจ n
Turkish: nefes n
Vietnamese: hơi thở n

Cochrane glared at him but was silent, ducking his head back down as he tried to get his breath back.
Garth Nix, LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
His is a tale mostly of the 19th century, told with such enthusiasm and pace that you might feel yourself short of breath.
New Scientist (2004)
It's all about plunging in and not coming up till everyone else is out of breath.
Globe and Mail (2003)
The British media and public watch with bated breath US murderous ruthlessness in Afghanistan.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
In particular, the premature cutting of the umbilical cord is pivotal in causing the first breath to be taken in complete distress.
Amoda, MOVING INTO ECSTASY: An Urban Mystic's Guide to Movement, Music and Meditation (2001)