English Dictionary

Definition of “breathing”

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breathing (ˈbriːðɪŋPronunciation for breathing) 

Definitions

noun

  1. the passage of air into and out of the lungs to supply the body with oxygen
  2. a single breath  ⇒ a breathing between words 
  3. an utterance  ⇒ a breathing of hate 
  4. a soft movement, esp of air
  5. a rest or pause
  6. phonetics 
    1. expulsion of breath (rough breathing) or absence of such expulsion (smooth breathing) preceding the pronunciation of an initial vowel or rho in ancient Greek
    2. either of two symbols indicating this

breathe (briːðPronunciation for breathe) 

Definitions

verb

  1. to take in oxygen from (the surrounding medium, esp air) and give out carbon dioxide; respire
  2. (intr) to exist; be alive  ⇒ every animal that breathes on earth 
  3. (intr) to rest to regain breath, composure, etc  ⇒ stop your questions, and give me a chance to breathe 
  4. (intr) (esp of air) to blow lightly  ⇒ the wind breathed through the trees 
  5. (intr) machinery 
    1. to take in air, esp for combustion  ⇒ the engine breathes through this air filter 
    2. to equalize the pressure within a container, chamber, etc, with atmospheric pressure  ⇒ the crankcase breathes through this duct 
  6. (tr) phonetics to articulate (a speech sound) without vibration of the vocal cords Compare voice (sense 19)
  7. to exhale or emit  ⇒ the dragon breathed fire 
  8. (tr) to impart; instil  ⇒ to breathe confidence into the actors 
  9. (tr) to speak softly; whisper  ⇒ to breathe words of love 
  10. (tr) to permit to rest  ⇒ to breathe a horse 
  11. (intr) (of a material) to allow air to pass through so that perspiration can evaporate
  12. See breathe again
  13. See breathe down someone's neck
  14. See breathe one's last

Word Origin

C13: from breath

Translations

  • British English: breathing Pronunciation for breathing Breathing is the passage of air into and out of the lungs to supply the body with oxygen.Her breathing became slow and heavy.ˈbriːðɪŋ NOUN Her breathing became slow and heavy.
  • Spanish: respiración Pronunciation for respiración nf
  • French: respiration Pronunciation for respiration nf
  • German: Atmen Pronunciation for Atmen nnt
  • Chinese: 呼吸Pronunciation for 呼吸 n
  • Arabic: تَنَفّْسPronunciation for تَنَفّْس n
  • Portuguese: respiraçãoPronunciation for respiração nf
  • Russian: дыханиеPronunciation for дыхание nnt
  • Croatian: disanjePronunciation for disanje nnt
  • Czech: dýcháníPronunciation for dýchání nnt
  • Danish: vejrtrækningPronunciation for vejrtrækning nutr
  • Dutch: ademhalingPronunciation for ademhaling nf
  • Finnish: hengitysPronunciation for hengitys n
  • Greek: αναπνοήPronunciation for αναπνοή nf
  • Italian: respiroPronunciation for respiro nm
  • Japanese: 呼吸Pronunciation for 呼吸 n
  • Korean: 호흡Pronunciation for 호흡 n
  • Norwegian: pustingPronunciation for pusting nm
  • Polish: oddychaniePronunciation for oddychanie n
  • Brazilian Portuguese: respiraçãoPronunciation for respiração nf
  • European Spanish: respiración Pronunciation for respiración nf
  • Swedish: andningPronunciation for andning nutr
  • Thai: การหายใจPronunciation for การหายใจ n
  • Turkish: nefes almaPronunciation for nefes alma n
  • Vietnamese: sự hô hấpPronunciation for sự hô hấp n

Usage examples

  • She forced her breathing to slow, relaxing her muscles to limpness.
    Mark Burnell, CHAMELEON (2002)
  • His Kriya yoga is an "advanced form of breathing control that allows adepts to slow down all the inner functioning of their bodies.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • McWilliam's third successful place kick gave Murrayfield at least some breathing space.
    Glasgow Herald (2002)
  • Direct your breath here -- imagine the feet are actually breathing.
    Amoda, MOVING INTO ECSTASY: An Urban Mystic's Guide to Movement, Music and Meditation (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'B'

Related Terms

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