oxygen
OK-sihd-zhuhn
Oxygen (noun) means a colourless, odourless gas that makes up about a fifth of the air and is essential for humans and animals to breathe. Example: “Fish take oxygen from the water through their gills.”
noun
1
A colourless, odourless gas that makes up about a fifth of the air and is essential for humans and animals to breathe.
"Fish take oxygen from the water through their gills."
"Plants release oxygen into the atmosphere during photosynthesis."
"The climbers carried tanks of oxygen for the final ascent."
2
Figuratively, the conditions that let something grow or survive.
"Funding from the council gave the small theatre the oxygen it needed to survive."
"Without fresh ideas and new members, the club will lose its oxygen and fade away."
"Media attention gave the campaign the oxygen it needed to spread."
How to use oxygen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe gas in the air that living things need to breathe, and figuratively, whatever fuels something's survival or growth.
Common pairings
breathe oxygen
oxygen supply
oxygen tank
oxygen levels
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Word forms
- Plural
- oxygens
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Fish take _____ from the water through their gills.
Etymology
Coined in French from Greek roots meaning "sharp/acid" and "birth/producer," because early chemists wrongly believed oxygen was essential to forming all acids.
Synonyms
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O
atomic number 8
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “oxygen” mean?
The word “oxygen” means a colourless, odourless gas that makes up about a fifth of the air and is essential for humans and animals to breathe. In plain terms, the gas in the air that living things need to breathe, and figuratively, whatever fuels something's survival or growth.
How do you pronounce “oxygen”?
“Oxygen” is pronounced OK-sihd-zhuhn (/ˈɑksɪd͡ʒən/ in IPA).
How do you use “oxygen” in a sentence?
Here is “oxygen” used in a sentence: “Plants release oxygen into the atmosphere during photosynthesis.”
What part of speech is “oxygen”?
“Oxygen” is a noun.
Where does the word “oxygen” come from?
The word “oxygen” comes from French. Coined in French from Greek roots meaning "sharp/acid" and "birth/producer," because early chemists wrongly believed oxygen was essential to forming all acids.
Is “oxygen” a common word?
“Oxygen” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “oxygen” have?
“Oxygen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a colourless, odourless gas that makes up about a fifth of the air and is essential for humans and animals to breathe.
What is the difference between oxygen and air?
Oxygen is a single colourless, odourless gas that makes up about a fifth of the air, whereas air is a mixture of gases that also includes nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and others. We breathe air, but it is the oxygen in it that keeps us alive.
What is the difference between oxygen and carbon dioxide?
Oxygen is the gas that humans and animals breathe in and need to survive, while carbon dioxide is a gas they breathe out. Plants, by contrast, take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
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