# respiration

/ˌɹɛspɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɹˌɛspɪɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/respiration
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Exercise increases your rate of respiration.
- The doctor monitored the patient's respiration to ensure they were getting enough oxygen during the procedure.
- 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.

## Usage notes

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

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