noun
breather
BREE-thuh
noun
1
A short break or pause to rest.
"Let's take a breather before we tackle the next hill."
2
A vent that lets air in or out of an enclosed mechanical space, such as a crankcase.
"The mechanic checked the engine's breather for blockages."
How to Use Breather
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short rest, or a mechanical air vent — most often you'll meet the "quick rest" sense.
When to use it
The "quick rest" sense is informal.
Common pairings
take a breather
catch a breather
Word Forms
breathers plural
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Let's take a _____ before we tackle the next hill.
Etymology
From breathe + the agent suffix -er.