noun
Common
breathing
BREE-thihng
Breathing (noun) means the process of drawing air into and out of the lungs. Example: “The doctor listened to his breathing and said his chest sounded clear.”
noun
1
The process of drawing air into and out of the lungs.
"The doctor listened to his breathing and said his chest sounded clear."
"Heavy breathing could be heard from the runners as they crossed the line."
"The instructor guided them through slow, controlled breathing."
adj
1
Alive; living.
"He was the only breathing soul left in the abandoned village."
"Not a single breathing person was in sight on the empty street."
"Every breathing creature in the forest fell silent."
How to use breathing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ongoing act of taking air in and out — or, as an adjective, simply "alive."
Common pairings
deep breathing
breathing exercises
breathing space
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The doctor listened to his _____ and said his chest sounded clear.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for breathing
See all rhymes for breathing →Frequently asked questions
What does “breathing” mean?
The word “breathing” means the process of drawing air into and out of the lungs. In plain terms, the ongoing act of taking air in and out — or, as an adjective, simply "alive.".
How do you pronounce “breathing”?
“Breathing” is pronounced BREE-thihng (/ˈbɹiðɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “breathing” in a sentence?
Here is “breathing” used in a sentence: “The instructor guided them through slow, controlled breathing.”
What part of speech is “breathing”?
Depending on how it is used, “breathing” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “breathing” a common word?
“Breathing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “breathing” have?
“Breathing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of drawing air into and out of the lungs.
What is the difference between "breathing" and "respiration"?
"Breathing" is the everyday word for drawing air into and out of the lungs. "Respiration" is a broader, more technical term that can also cover the cellular process by which the body releases energy from oxygen. All breathing is respiration, but not all respiration is breathing.
How is "breathing" used in the phrase "living and breathing"?
In "living and breathing," the word "breathing" is used as an adjective meaning alive. It stresses that someone is a real, living person, as in "a living, breathing human being."
What is the difference between "breathing" and "panting"?
"Breathing" is the neutral term for moving air in and out of the lungs, while "panting" means breathing quickly and heavily, usually after exertion or in heat. Panting is a specific, laboured kind of breathing.
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