breath
noun
\ ˈbreth
\
\
Definition of breath
1a
: air filled with a fragrance or odor
b
: a slight indication : suggestion
the faintest breath of scandal
2a
: the faculty of breathing
recovering his breath after the race
b
: an act of breathing
fought to the last breath
3
: a slight breeze
4a
: air inhaled and exhaled in breathing
bad breath
b
: something (such as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing
c
: inhalation
5
: a spoken sound : utterance
breath of fresh air
in one breath
or in the same breath
out of breath
under one's breath
: a welcome or refreshing change
: almost simultaneously
: breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)
: so as to be barely audible
mumbled something under his breath
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Synonyms for breath
Synonyms
break, breather, interruption, lull, pause, recess
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Not to anger those who are religiously opposed to including a quarterback’s win total in this same breath, but Dallas has two seasons of 10-plus wins and one 9–7 season in those years (and two playoff berths). — Conor Orr, SI.com, "Dak Prescott Isn’t Asking for Too Much From the Cowboys," 13 Aug. 2019 In the same breath, God’s immanence is such that without Him the world would be nothing. — Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, "The Divine need for each one of us," 12 Aug. 2019 While the long walk up the quiet beach is like drawing in breath, this hectic, supermarket-sized seafood restaurant is a bellow of release. — Stephen Connolly, National Geographic, "Beyond Barcelona: A weekend on Málaga’s magical coast," 6 Aug. 2019 When Barr announced on Thursday that the DOJ will be bringing back the death penalty after reversing a 16-year moratorium, five individuals were in the same breath scheduled to executed using pentobarbital. — Breanna Edwards, Essence, "Rep. Ayanna Pressley Introduces Bill To Put An End To Federal Death Penalty," 26 July 2019 Walking over soggy lifeless crops, Brett Adams, a fifth generation Nebraska farmer, paused to catch his breath. — Rosa Tuiran, CBS News, ""I'm not a climate change guy, but...": Farmers reckon with new reality in the heartland," 26 July 2019 High heels, red dress, all by yourself, gotta catch my breath. — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, "Priyanka Wears a Bold Red Dress to Celebrate Her 37th Birthday," 19 July 2019 He was mentioned in the same breath as other top St. Benedict’s players, Tab Ramos and Claudio Reyna among them. — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Jose Angulo of Hartford Athletic a soccer lifer who best represents USL," 11 July 2019 Capable of living headless for weeks on end, holding their breath for around five to seven minutes and even surviving nuclear radiation, the insects serve as formidable foes for humans hoping to rid their homes of pesky roach infestations. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Not Even Chemicals Can Stop the Indomitable Cockroach," 5 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'breath.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for breath
breath
noun
English Language Learners Definition of breath
: the air that you take into your lungs and send out from your lungs when you breathe : air that is inhaled and exhaled in breathing
: the ability to breathe freely
: an amount of air that you take into your lungs
See the full definition for breath in the English Language Learners Dictionary
breath
noun
\ ˈbreth
\
\
Kids Definition of breath
1
: ability to breathe : ease of breathing
I lost my breath for a moment.
2
: air taken in or sent out by the lungs
Hold your breath. It's so cold I can see my breath.
3
: a slight breeze
a breath of wind
out of breath
under someone's breath
: breathing very rapidly as a result of hard exercise
: very quietly
“Don't blow this for me,” Dad said under his breath.— Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control
breath
noun
\ ˈbreth
\
\
Medical Definition of breath
1