breathe - Definition | Dictionary definition of breathe

Definition of breathe

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

"I can breathe better when the air is clean"

Types:: show 18 types...; hide 18 types...; respire
breathe easily again, as after exertion or anxiety; choke
breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion; hyperventilate
breathe excessively hard and fast; hiccough, hiccup
breathe spasmodically, and make a sound; sigh, suspire
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily; breathe out, exhale, expire
expel air; snort
make a snorting sound by exhaling hard; blow
exhale hard; breathe in, inhale, inspire
draw in (air); aspirate
suck in (air); sniff, sniffle
inhale audibly through the nose; snivel, snuffle
snuff up mucus through the nose; snuff
inhale audibly through the nose; drag, draw, puff
suck in or take (air); huff, snort
inhale recreational drugs; wheeze
breathe with difficulty; yawn
utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired; saw logs, saw wood, snore
breathe noisily during one's sleep

be alive

"Every creature that breathes"

impart as if by breathing

"He breathed new life into the old house"

allow the passage of air through

"Our new synthetic fabric breathes and is perfect for summer wear"

Type of:: be
have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)

utter or tell

"not breathe a word"

Type of:: express, give tongue to, utter, verbalise, verbalize
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise

manifest or evince

"She breathes the Christian spirit"

take a short break from one's activities in order to relax

reach full flavor by absorbing air and being let to stand after having been uncorked

"This rare Bordeaux must be allowed to breathe for at least 2 hours"

expel (gases or odors)

Types:: show 6 types...; hide 6 types...; belch, bubble, burp, eruct
expel gas from the stomach; force out
emit or cause to move with force of effort; emanate, exhale, give forth
give out (breath or an odor); radiate
send out real or metaphoric rays; bubble
form, produce, or emit bubbles; effervesce, fizz, foam, form bubbles, froth, sparkle
become bubbly or frothy or foaming