respiration
noun
res·pi·ra·tion ˌre-spə-ˈrā-shən 
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
Dorwyn W. Croom2
: 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
: cellular respiration
respiratory
ˈre-sp(ə-)rə-ˌtȯr-ē
adjective ri-ˈspī-rə-
Example Sentences
The doctor checked his heartbeat and respiration.
Recent Examples on the Web James Parkinson, the British scientist who made the first study of the disease in 1817, noticed that some patients experienced changes in respiration. Hiawatha Bray, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 These emissions differ from natural CO2 (created through animal and plant respiration, volcanic eruptions and other life processes), which is present in our atmosphere at much lower levels. Gina Rich, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 The team was able to use its biofilm to power a small LCD screen and sensors measuring strain, pulse, respiration, and glucose, although not all at once. Miriam Fauzia, Popular Mechanics, 15 Aug. 2022 In effect, cancer cells switch from burning oxygen in their mitochondria for respiration to fermenting for energy like yeast cells, even in the presence of oxygen. Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2022 Senses are heightened, adrenaline is released and the emotional and rational parts of the brain cede control to the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating primal bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion and respiration. New York Times, 5 July 2022 These bubbles of carbon dioxide, caught and held by the stretchy matrix of flour proteins, are the by-product of respiration as the yeasts and bacteria metabolize the starches. Benjamin, Longreads, 20 May 2022 This is likely tied to another important, largely behind-the-scenes feature: respiration rate tracking. Andrew Williams, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 Monitor your stamina in real time, track heart rate, stress levels, sleep, respiration, and blood oxygen levels. J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 11 July 2022 See More
Hiawatha Bray, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 These emissions differ from natural CO2 (created through animal and plant respiration, volcanic eruptions and other life processes), which is present in our atmosphere at much lower levels. Gina Rich, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 The team was able to use its biofilm to power a small LCD screen and sensors measuring strain, pulse, respiration, and glucose, although not all at once. Miriam Fauzia, Popular Mechanics, 15 Aug. 2022 In effect, cancer cells switch from burning oxygen in their mitochondria for respiration to fermenting for energy like yeast cells, even in the presence of oxygen. Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2022 Senses are heightened, adrenaline is released and the emotional and rational parts of the brain cede control to the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating primal bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion and respiration. New York Times, 5 July 2022 These bubbles of carbon dioxide, caught and held by the stretchy matrix of flour proteins, are the by-product of respiration as the yeasts and bacteria metabolize the starches. Benjamin, Longreads, 20 May 2022 This is likely tied to another important, largely behind-the-scenes feature: respiration rate tracking. Andrew Williams, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 Monitor your stamina in real time, track heart rate, stress levels, sleep, respiration, and blood oxygen levels. J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 11 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English respiracioun, from Latin respiration-, respiratio, from respirare
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing respiration
Kids Definition
respiration
noun
res·pi·ra·tion ˌre-spə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act or process of breathing : the inhaling of oxygen and the exhaling of carbon dioxide
2
: the process by which cells use oxygen to break down sugar and obtain energy
Medical Definition
respiration
noun
res·pi·ra·tion ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən
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
: cellular respiration