# breath

/ˈbɹɛθ/ (US) · /bɹˈɛθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/breath
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. air from the lungs

noun · CEFR A2

the air that you take into your lungs and then let out.

For teachers: the air inhaled into or exhaled from the lungs during respiration.

- He could see his breath in the cold morning air.
- The hiker paused to watch his breath condense into a white mist against the freezing mountain air.

### 2. a single cycle

noun · CEFR A2

one single time that you take air in or let it out.

For teachers: a single act of respiration.

- Take a deep breath and try to relax before the presentation.
- The swimmer took one final deep breath before diving into the pool to begin the final lap of the race.

### 3. a slight movement

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

a very small amount of wind or air.

For teachers: a slight movement of air; a light breeze.

- There wasn't even a breath of wind to move the leaves.
- The sails hung limp and useless, as there was not a breath of wind to stir the heavy afternoon heat.

### 4. a short break

noun · CEFR B1

a short rest or a pause to catch your energy.

For teachers: a brief pause or interval of rest, especially to recover from physical exertion.

- The workers stopped for a breath after carrying the heavy furniture upstairs.
- After the frantic opening sequence, the play allows the audience a breath before the tension begins to build again.

## Examples

- Take a deep breath and try to relax.
- The cold morning air was so crisp that she could see her breath as she walked to the station.
- The athlete struggled to catch her breath after the final sprint, leaning against the track wall while her heart rate slowly returned to its resting state.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.