breathing

1 of 2

noun

breath·​ing ˈbrē-t͟hiŋ How to pronounce breathing (audio)
Synonyms of breathingnext
: either of the marks ʽ and ʼ used in writing Greek to indicate aspiration or its absence

breathing

2 of 2

present participle of breathe

Examples of breathing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Horses sense subtle changes in posture, breathing and energy, while trust grows through consistency. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Fresh off a Netflix special that premiered earlier this month, Stamptown crams in a dizzying mix of acts — think fire breathing burlesque dancers, aerial pole acrobats spinning above you, and some of the sharpest, strangest clown comedy around. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 The bleeding was severe, her blood pressure plummeted, her breathing and heart function stopped. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 The implicit neutrality of letting an inanimate object guided by a mysterious, principled force make the decision — rather than a living, breathing, fallible entity — is meant to elevate the honor. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breathing

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1696, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breathing was in 1696

Phrases Containing breathing

Rhymes for breathing

See All Rhymes for breathing

Browse Nearby Words

breathiness
breathing
breathing capacity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breathing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on breathing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for breathing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breathing

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