BREATH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does breath mean? 

• BREATH (noun)
  The noun BREATH has 5 senses:

1. the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

2. the air that is inhaled and exhaled in respiration

3. a short respite

4. an indirect suggestion

5. a slight movement of the air

  Familiarity information: BREATH used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BREATH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

he was fighting to his last breath

Hypernyms ("breath" is a kind of...):

activity; bodily function; bodily process; body process (an organic process that takes place in the body)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "breath"):

breathing out; exhalation; expiration (the act of expelling air from the lungs)

aspiration; breathing in; inhalation; inspiration; intake (the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The air that is inhaled and exhaled in respiration

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Context example:

his sour breath offended her

Hypernyms ("breath" is a kind of...):

air (a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "breath"):

exhalation; halitus (exhaled breath)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A short respite

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Synonyms:

breath; breather; breathing place; breathing space; breathing spell; breathing time

Hypernyms ("breath" is a kind of...):

relief; respite; rest; rest period (a pause for relaxation)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An indirect suggestion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

breath; hint; intimation

Context example:

not a breath of scandal ever touched her

Hypernyms ("breath" is a kind of...):

proffer; proposition; suggestion (a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A slight movement of the air

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural phenomena

Context example:

there wasn't a breath of air in the room

Hypernyms ("breath" is a kind of...):

air; breeze; gentle wind; zephyr (a slight wind (usually refreshing))

 Context examples 

"Chattering daws," Martin muttered under his breath, and went on talking with Ruth and Arthur.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

All year we have had eclipses in Cancer and Capricorn, and some were tough on you, such as January 5, and I held my breath when I looked at December 25.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

After this exploit, I walked gently to and fro on the bed, to recover my breath and loss of spirits.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Energy expenditure was determined by measuring the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the volunteers’ breath.

(Fitness Trackers Bad at Measuring Calories Burned, Study Says, VOA)

Brief exposure to a chemical that shut down the mosquitoes’ carbon dioxide receptor rendered them unable to react to carbon dioxide from exhaled breath.

(How mosquitoes detect people, NIH)

In contrast, bird breath travels in this tidal flow pattern through part of the respiratory system, but in a one-way loop throughout most of the lung.

(Following the lizard lung labyrinth, National Science Foundation)

Dolphins are particularly susceptible to inhalation effects due to their large lungs, deep breaths and extended breath hold times.

(Deepwater Horizon oil spill contributed to high number of Gulf dolphin deaths, NOAA)

It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness.

(Acute Bronchitis, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Signs and symptoms of anemia may include pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, shortness of breath, palpitations of the heart, soft systolic murmurs, lethargy, and fatigability.

(Anemia, NCI Thesaurus)

Symptoms of AAT deficiency include: • Shortness of breath and wheezing • Repeated lung infections • Tiredness • Rapid heartbeat upon standing • Vision problems • Weight loss

(Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)