breathrespiration; a stirring of air: a breath of springNot to be confused with:breadth ? wide scope; width: she measured the breadth of the fabricbreathe ? to inhale and exhale air: breathe deeply now; to be alive; to whisper: Don?t breathe a word of this to your mother.Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embreebreath (br?th)n.1. a. The act or process of breathing; respiration: swam down to the reef, holding his breath.b. A single act of breathing: Take a deep breath.2. a. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration: as long as there is breath in my lungs.b. Air that is exhaled, as evidenced by vapor or odor: It’s so cold you can see your breath.3. The capacity to breathe, especially in a natural and unlabored manner: suffering from shortness of breath.4. Spirit or vitality: colors that lend breath to his paintings.5. A momentary pause or rest: If I could have a breath before I go on.6. A momentary stirring of air: Not a breath of air stirred the leaves.7. A softly spoken sound; a whisper: There was hardly a breath of protest.8. Linguistics Exhalation of air without vibration of the vocal cords, as in the articulation of p and s.Idioms: in one/the same breath At or almost at the same time. out of breath Breathing with difficulty, as from exertion; gasping. under (one’s) breath In a muted voice or whisper.[Middle English breth, from Old English br?th; see gwhr?- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.breath (br??) n1. (Physiology) the intake and expulsion of air during respiration2. (Physiology) the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration3. (Physiology) a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc4. the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air: his breath on the window melted the frost. 5. a slight gust of air6. a short pause or rest: take a breath for five minutes. 7. a brief time: it was done in a breath. 8. a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion: a breath of scandal. 9. a whisper or soft sound10. life, energy, or vitality: the breath of new industry. 11. (Phonetics & Phonology) phonetics the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k). Compare voice1212. a breath of fresh air a refreshing change from what one is used to13. catch one’s breath to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion14. hold one’s breath to wait expectantly or anxiously15. in the same breath done or said at the same time16. out of breath gasping for air after exertion17. save one’s breath to refrain from useless talk18. take one’s breath away to overwhelm with surprise, etc19. under one’s breath below one’s breath in a quiet voice or whisper[Old English br?th; related to br?dan to burn, Old High German br?dam heat, breath]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014breath (br??) n. 1. the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration. 2. respiration, esp. as necessary to life. 3. life; vitality. 4. the ability to breathe easily and normally: I stopped to regain my breath. 5. time to breathe; pause or respite. 6. a single inhalation or respiration: Take a deep breath. 7. the time required for a single respiration; moment. 8. a slight suggestion or hint: not touched by the breath of slander. 9. a light current of air. 10. the audible expiration of air from the lungs generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p), (k), or (sh). 11. moisture emitted in respiration, esp. when condensed and visible. 12. an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it. Idioms: 1. below or under one’s breath, in a low voice or whisper. 2. catch one’s breath, to pause so as to rest. 3. in the same breath, almost simultaneously. 4. out of breath, breathless from exertion. [before 900; Middle English breth, breeth, Old English br?th smell, exhalation; probably akin to breed] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.breath – From an Old English word meaning “scent, smell.”See also related terms for scent.Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.breathe – breath1. ‘breathe’Breathe /bri?ð/ is a verb. When people or animals breathe, they take air into their lungs and let it out again.Breath /bre?/ is a noun. Your breath is the air that you take into your lungs and let out again when you breathe.