noun
respirator
noun
1
A mask or device worn over the nose and mouth to filter out harmful particles or fumes from the air.
"Construction workers wore respirators to avoid inhaling dust."
2
A medical machine that helps a person breathe when they cannot do so unassisted.
"The patient was placed on a respirator after the surgery."
How to Use Respirator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a protective breathing mask, or a machine that breathes for a patient.
Common mistake
Don't confuse a medical respirator (a life-support machine) with a simple dust/particle mask, though both share the name.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
respirators plural
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Construction workers wore _____ to avoid inhaling dust.
Etymology
From respirate ("to breathe") plus the agent suffix -or, "thing that helps one breathe."