ENGLISH
REFERENCE

respiration

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˌɹɛspɝˈeɪʃən// UK //ɹˌɛspɪɹˈeɪʃən// res·pi·ra·tion

n. the process of breathing. It is how living things take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide to get energy.

n. the biochemical process in which the cells of an organism obtain energy by combining oxygen and glucose, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.


SIMPLE

Exercise increases your rate of respiration.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor monitored the patient's respiration to ensure they were getting enough oxygen during the procedure.

COMPLEX

In aerobic respiration, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, a process that occurs within the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English respiracioun, borrowed from Latin respīrātiō, respīrātiōnem.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the biological process; can be countable in medical contexts referring to a single breath.

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