Breathe (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used without object), breathed [breethd], /briðd/, breath·ing.
  1. to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.
  2. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.
  3. to pause, as for breath or rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe?
  4. to move gently or blow lightly, as air.
  5. to live; exist: Hardly a person breathes who has not known great sorrow.
  6. to be redolent or suggestive: a poem breathing of the sights and sounds of a rustic life.
  7. (of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily: The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes.
  8. (of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration.
  9. (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.
  1. to inhale and exhale in respiration.
  2. to exhale: Dragons breathe fire.
  3. to inject as if by breathing; infuse: She breathed life into the party.
  4. to give utterance to; whisper: She breathed a prayer of thanks when everyone escaped the fire unharmed.
  5. to express; manifest: This coming-of-age novel breathes the torments and joys of adolescence.
  6. to allow to rest or recover breath: After this next hill, we should breathe the horses.
  7. to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.
  8. to cause to pant;exercise.
Idioms
  1. breathe down someone's neck,
    • 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?
  2. to have relief from anxiety, tension, or pressure: Now that the crisis was over, he could breathe freely.
  3. to die: He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard.
  4. to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential: I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word.
verb
  1. to take in oxygen from (the surrounding medium, esp air) and give out carbon dioxide; respire
  2. to exist; be alive
  3. to rest to regain breath, composure, etc
  4. (esp of air) to blow lightly
  5. (intr) machinery
    • to take in air, esp for combustion
    • to equalize the pressure within a container, chamber, etc, with atmospheric pressure
  6. to articulate (a speech sound) without vibration of the vocal cords
  7. to exhale or emit
  8. to impart; instil
  9. to speak softly; whisper
  10. to permit to rest
  11. (of a material) to allow air to pass through so that perspiration can evaporate
  12. to feel relief
  13. to stay close to someone, esp to oversee what they are doing
  14. to die or be finished or defeated
Breathe (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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