Word
respirator
Phoneticsres·pi·ra·tor, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɛspɝˌeɪtɝ/
UK/ɹɪspˈɪɹeɪtɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a mask you wear over your mouth and nose to clean the air you breathe. You use it to stay safe from dust, smoke, chemicals, or germs.
n. a protective mask worn over the mouth and nose to filter inhaled air against dust, fumes, or pathogens. Distinguished from a loose surgical mask by its close seal and higher filtration efficiency.
Examples
“She wears a respirator when she paints the house.”
“The construction workers wear respirators to avoid breathing in concrete dust during the demolition.”
“Despite the summer heat, the lab technician keeps her respirator sealed tight while handling volatile solvents that could damage her lungs.”
Examples
simple
“She wears a respirator when she paints the house.”
contextual
“The construction workers wear respirators to avoid breathing in concrete dust during the demolition.”
complex
“Despite the summer heat, the lab technician keeps her respirator sealed tight while handling volatile solvents that could damage her lungs.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “respirator” in context.
Verb
01. adjust respirator
“She stopped to adjust her respirator to get a better seal.”
verb + noun
02. breathe through respirator
“It felt strange to breathe through a respirator at first.”
verb + prep + noun
03. rely on respirator
“Many builders rely on a respirator for protection from cement dust.”
verb + prep + noun
04. remove respirator
“Do not remove your respirator until you leave the dusty area.”
verb + noun
05. replace respirator
“Replace your respirator if breathing becomes difficult.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. disposable respirator
“Workers in the clinic use a disposable respirator for each shift.”
adj + noun
07. fitted respirator
“You need a properly fitted respirator to block fine dust particles.”
adj + noun
08. protective respirator
“Firefighters put on a protective respirator before entering the smoke.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. fit of respirator
“The nurse checked the fit of her respirator before seeing patients.”
noun + prep + noun
10. pass a respirator fit test
“All medical staff must pass a respirator fit test every year.”
11. put on a respirator
“Put on a respirator before you enter the dusty building site.”
12. replace the respirator filter
“You should replace the respirator filter every month.”
Real-World Examples
“The CDC, an organization that has faced criticism for its evolving and sometimes unclear guidance throughout the pandemic, clarified on its website that individuals have the option to use respirators like N95s and KN95s without concerns regarding supply shortages for N95 masks.” “Now she is the beneficiary of a prescient decision: As the virus raged in China, Yale hospital administrators bought about 1,200 of the reusable silicone masks, known as elastomeric respirators, and gave them to doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists starting in March.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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