breath

noun

1
a
: air filled with a fragrance or odor
b
: a slight indication : suggestion
the faintest breath of scandal
2
a
: the faculty of breathing
recovering his breath after the race
b
: an act of breathing
fought to the last breath
c
: opportunity or time to breathe : respite
3
: a slight breeze
4
a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
bad breath
b
: something (such as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing
5
: a spoken sound : utterance
6
Phrases
breath of fresh air
: a welcome or refreshing change
in one breath or in the same breath
: almost simultaneously
out of breath
: breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)
under one's breath
: so as to be barely audible
mumbled something under his breath

Examples of breath in a Sentence

When Oscar Wilde allegedly gestured at the garish wallpaper in his cheap Parisian hotel room and announced with his dying breath, "Either it goes or I go," he was exhibiting something beyond an irrepressibly brilliant wit. Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004
I ski as far as I can and stop (in these relatively low-altitude coastal mountains, you don't stop for breath the way you sometimes do in Colorado; here you stop when your legs demand a break) … Lito Tejada-Flores, Skiing, February 1999
gum that freshens your breath It's so cold outside that I can see my breath. My mad dash for the bus left me gasping for breath. I took a long breath before speaking again.
Recent Examples on the Web In his Saturday interview, Biden said that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a red line, before adding in the same breath that crossing it would not result in punitive measures against Israel. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 The priest and the child have spent time alone together, and after one meeting Donald returned to Sister James’s class acting strange, his breath redolent of sacramental wine. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Omar shrugged his shoulders, mumbling under his breath, and stood by her head. Jared Lemus, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2024 To keep your breaths nice and deep, aim to keep each one coming from your stomach as opposed to your chest. Georgia Day, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 McCorkle said residents shouldn’t hold their breath for a heavier outburst anywhere in the East Bay, South Bay or Peninsula anytime soon, though drizzle could make an appearance this weekend. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 The recent announcement that some $1.2 billion in college loans were being forgiven was a breath of fresh air for those who qualified. John F. Wasik, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 While waiting for the race to start, Martinez takes a few deep breaths. Ana Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 Hold the position that feels best for you and take three to five deep breaths. Dana Santas, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breath.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English breth, from Old English brǣth; akin to Old High German brādam breath, and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast — more at barm

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of breath was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near breath

Cite this Entry

“Breath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breath. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

breath

noun
1
a
: air filled with a fragrance or odor
b
: a slight indication : suggestion
a faint breath of scandal
2
a
: the ability to breathe
b
: an act of breathing
3
: a slight breeze
4
a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
b
: something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breathing
5
: a spoken sound

Medical Definition

breath

noun
1
a
: the faculty of breathing
recovering her breath after the race
b
: an act or an instance of breathing or inhaling
2
a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
bad breath
b
: something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing

More from Merriam-Webster on breath

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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