noun
respirator
Respirator (noun) means a mask or device worn over the nose and mouth to filter out harmful particles or fumes from the air. Example: “Construction workers wore respirators to avoid inhaling dust.”
noun
1
A mask or device worn over the nose and mouth to filter out harmful particles or fumes from the air.
"The painters in the paint booth were wearing the kind of respirators with dual filter canisters."
"Construction workers wore respirators to avoid inhaling dust."
"Any N95 respirator is designed to filter out 95 percent of particles 0.3 microns or larger."
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- respirators
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Construction workers wore _____ to avoid inhaling dust.
Etymology
From respirate ("to breathe") plus the agent suffix -or, "thing that helps one breathe."
Synonyms
View more →
gasmask
inhalator
gas helmet
Related words
Rhymes for respirator
See all rhymes for respirator →Frequently asked questions
What does “respirator” mean?
The word “respirator” means a mask or device worn over the nose and mouth to filter out harmful particles or fumes from the air. In plain terms, either a protective breathing mask, or a machine that breathes for a patient.
How do you use “respirator” in a sentence?
Here is “respirator” used in a sentence: “Construction workers wore respirators to avoid inhaling dust.”
What part of speech is “respirator”?
“Respirator” is a noun.
How many meanings does “respirator” have?
“Respirator” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mask or device worn over the nose and mouth to filter out harmful particles or fumes from the air.
