air-breathing

adjective

air-breath·​ing ˈer-ˌbrē-t͟hiŋ How to pronounce air-breathing (audio)
: of, employing, or being an engine that requires air for combustion

Examples of air-breathing in a Sentence

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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.
L3Harris is pursuing an air-breathing ramjet design intended to improve fuel efficiency and extend engagement distances. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 One obvious problem is that an air-breathing engine cannot handle air coming in at Mach 5+. — New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025 Tropical air-breathing snails lined its shores and shelled creatures lay just below the surface. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for air-breathing

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of air-breathing was in 1938

Rhymes for air-breathing

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Browse Nearby Words

air-break switch
air-breathing
air brick
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Cite this Entry

“Air-breathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air-breathing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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