the ability to breathe easily and normally: She stopped to regain her breath.
time to breathe; pause or respite: Give him a little breath.
a single inhalation or respiration: He took a deep breath.
the brief time required for a single respiration; a moment or instant: They gave it to her and took it away all in a breath.
a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper: The breath of slander never touched her.
a light current of air.
Phonetics.
the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p), (k), (sh), etc.
moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.
a trivial circumstance; trifle.
an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.
Obsolete. exhalation or vapor.
Idioms for breath
below / under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce: He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up.
catch one's breath, to pause or rest before continuing an activity or beginning a new one; resume regular breathing: Let me catch my breath before I begin anything new.
in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously: She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.
out of breath, exhausted or gasping for breath, in consequence of an effort; breathless: After climbing to the top of the tower, we were so out of breath that we had to sit down.
save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion: We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.
take away one's breath, to make one as if breathless with astonishment; surprise; stun: The sheer beauty of the sea took away my breath.Also take one's breath away.
Origin of breath
before 900; Middle English breth, breeth,Old English brǣth smell, exhalation; akin to German Brodem vapor, steam
SYNONYMS FOR breath
3 spirit, animation, vigor, force.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR breath ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM breath
in·ter·breath,adjective
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breath
breadth, breath , breathe
Words nearby breath
breast pump, breaststroke, breastsummer, breast wheel, breastwork, breath, breathable, breathalyse, Breathalyser, Breathalyzer, breath analyzer
If they have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or an abnormal heart beat, he says, they should see a doctor.
College athletes show signs of possible heart injury after COVID-19|Aimee Cunningham|September 11, 2020|Science News
She told the Blade she only sleeps a few hours a night, she has no strength and walking a few feet leaves her out of breath.
Cuban doctor contracts coronavirus in ICE custody|Yariel Valdés González|September 9, 2020|Washington Blade
Although one of the major problems they have to deal with is rescuing people who refuse to evacuate, under their breath they thanked us for saving these homes.
How We Saved Our Neighborhood from a Wildfire|Dain Zaffke|September 2, 2020|Outside Online
For example, people with type 2 diabetes are often overweight and have shortness of breath.
How special relativity can help AI predict the future|Will Heaven|August 28, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Alternative living, in my case vanlife, is a financial breath of fresh air.
The New Camper Companies Redefining Road Travel|Alex Temblador|August 27, 2020|Outside Online
He died in July after being grabbed around the throat by a cop and wrestled to ground where the breath flew out of him.
The Wildly Peaceful, Human, Almost Boring, Ultimately Great New York City Protests for Eric Garner|Mike Barnicle|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Every time you see me, you want to mess with me,” Garner exclaimed, short of breath.
Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His breath became so strained that he was forced to quit his job as a horticulturalist for the parks department.
Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zied suggests popping a breath strip, sucking on a strong mint, or reapplying your lip gloss.
12 Thanksgiving Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work|DailyBurn|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Try holding your breath waiting for that, especially with the new more conservative Senate that will be seated on January 3.
For Obama, Hell Week Has Arrived|Michael Tomasky|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She looked at him; he was evidently greatly distressed, a little out of breath, and he had just stopped blubbering.
The Plattner Story and Others|H. G. Wells
Proof against every breath of scandal herself, Janet King never uttered and never encouraged one ill-natured word against another.
The Parisians, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Martha Phipps, sitting next to Galusha, stirred and uttered an impatient exclamation under her breath.
Galusha the Magnificent|Joseph C. Lincoln
He caught his breath for one bewitched moment, before he busied himself with the luggage on the rack.
Sinister Street, vol. 2|Compton Mackenzie
Right on the heels of this, and before I could get my breath, in came the boy again with another telegram.
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
British Dictionary definitions for breath
breath
/ (brɛθ) /
noun
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 airhis breath on the window melted the frost
a slight gust of air
a short pause or resttake a breath for five minutes
a brief timeit was done in a breath
a suggestion or slight evidence; suspiciona breath of scandal
a whisper or soft sound
life, energy, or vitalitythe breath of new industry
phoneticsthe 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 (def. 11)
a breath of fresh aira refreshing change from what one is used to
catch one's breathto rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion
hold one's breathto wait expectantly or anxiously
in the same breathdone or said at the same time
out of breathgasping for air after exertion
save one's breathto refrain from useless talk
take one's breath awayto overwhelm with surprise, etc
under one's breathorbelow one's breathin a quiet voice or whisper
Word Origin for breath
Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath