26984 words

breaths

12 definitions • 15 examples
1
the air that goes into and out of your lungs:

Examples:

out of breath He burst into the room, red-faced and out of breath (= unable to breathe comfortably because of tiredness or excitement).
short of breath She was dizzy and short of breath (= unable to breathe in enough air).
2
to pause or rest for a short time until you can breathe comfortably or regularly again:

Examples:

I had to stop running to catch my breath.
3
to breathe:

Examples:

Without pausing to draw breath she told me everything.
4
to pause for a short time between doing one thing and the next:

Examples:

Give me a minute to draw breath, won't you?
5
to be alive:

Examples:

He was one of the greatest sportsmen ever to draw breath.
6
to keep air in your lungs and not release it so that you need more:

Examples:

How long can you hold your breath under water?
7
to wait for something to happen, often feeling anxious:

Examples:

Fans held their breath waiting for the final whistle.
8
a single action of breathing air into your lungs
9
to breathe air into your lungs (as a single action):

Examples:

take a deep breath The doctor told me to take a deep breath (= breathe in a lot of air).
10
the smallest amount of wind:

Examples:

There wasn't a breath of air in the room.
11
a short period of time spent outside:

Examples:

I'm just going out for a breath of (fresh) air - I won't be long.
12
the air that you take into and let out of your lungs:

Examples:

[ C usually sing ] She drew/took a deep breath.
[ U ] He seemed a little out of breath (= to be breathing too fast).
[ C usually sing ] As he jumped in the pool, he held his breath (= delayed releasing the air in his lungs).

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