What does breath mean?
Breath refers to the air that is drawn into and expelled from the lungs during respiration, as well as to each individual act of inhaling or exhaling. It is one of the most fundamental words in English for describing both a physical process essential to life and, figuratively, moments of relief, tension, or freshness — as in 'a breath of fresh air' or 'waiting with bated breath'. Because it appears so frequently in idiomatic expressions such as 'catch one's breath', 'hold one's breath', and 'out of breath', it is a word every English speaker encounters daily. Breath is closely related to, and often confused with, its verb form 'breathe'; keeping the two distinct is a common challenge for learners. Its enduring presence in both literal and metaphorical language makes it a richly useful term across everyday conversation, literature, and medicine alike.
nounThe air taken into or expelled from the lungs during breathing; also the act or an instance of inhaling and exhaling.
- Air taken into or expelled from the lungs.
- A single act of inhaling or exhaling; a pause or brief rest (e.g. 'a breath of fresh air').
"She paused for a moment to catch her breath before continuing up the hill."
"He drew a deep breath before stepping onto the stage."
"The news left everyone holding their breath."
Standard regular plural; used when counting individual instances of inhaling or exhaling.
"He counted his breaths as he meditated."
The word 'breath' ends in a voiceless 'th', while its verb form 'breathe' keeps the vowel long — a spelling trap that has caught out English learners for centuries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of breath
Breath derives from Old English 'brǣþ', meaning vapour or odour, which itself comes from Proto-Germanic roots related to breathing and steam. Cognate forms appear in other Germanic languages, reflecting a shared ancestral origin. The modern sense referring specifically to respired air developed over the Middle English period.
Related word forms
How breath is actually used
Commonly used in fixed idiomatic expressions such as 'catch one's breath', 'hold one's breath', and 'out of breath'. The noun is uncountable when referring to the substance of air, countable when referring to individual instances of inhaling or exhaling.
Easily confused with breath
'Breath' is a noun referring to the air inhaled or exhaled, while 'breathe' is the verb meaning to take air into the lungs.