Breathe (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used without object), breathed [breethd], /briðd/, breath·ing.

to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.
(in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.
to pause, as for breath or rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe?
to move gently or blow lightly, as air.
to live; exist: Hardly a person breathes who has not known great sorrow.
to be redolent or suggestive: a poem breathing of the sights and sounds of a rustic life.
(of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily: The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes.
(of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration.
(of a wine) to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet.

verb (used with object), breathed [breethd], /briðd/, breath·ing.

to inhale and exhale in respiration.
to exhale: Dragons breathe fire.
to inject as if by breathing; infuse: She breathed life into the party.
to give utterance to; whisper: She breathed a prayer of thanks when everyone escaped the fire unharmed.
to express; manifest: This coming-of-age novel breathes the torments and joys of adolescence.
to allow to rest or recover breath: After this next hill, we should breathe the horses.
to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.
to cause to pant;exercise.

Idioms

to be close to someone in pursuit; menace; threaten: Police from four states were breathing down his neck.
to watch someone closely so as to supervise or control: If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done?

to have relief from anxiety, tension, or pressure: Now that the crisis was over, he could breathe freely.
to die: He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard.
to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential: I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word.

verb

to take in oxygen from (the surrounding medium, esp air) and give out carbon dioxide; respire
to exist; be alive
to rest to regain breath, composure, etc
(esp of air) to blow lightly
(intr) machinery

to take in air, esp for combustion
to equalize the pressure within a container, chamber, etc, with atmospheric pressure

AllDefiNitions