breather

noun

breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər How to pronounce breather (audio)
Synonyms of breathernext
1
: one that breathes
2
: a break in activity for rest or relief
3
: a small vent in an otherwise airtight enclosure

Synonyms of breather

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Examples of breather in a Sentence

He decided to give them a breather. took a breather from the seemingly endless task of sorting through years of stuff stored in the attic
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.
Nobody got a breather this year. — Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026 The show features fire jugglers and fire breathers. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 Amazon has tons of chic, breezy, and comfortable options worth adding to your summer wardrobe to give your shorts a breather. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 26 June 2026 If that occurs, the choppy action of the last few weeks could prove to be nothing more than a healthy breather before the next leg higher begins. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for breather

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breather was in 1609

Phrases Containing breather

Rhymes for breather

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Browse Nearby Words

breathe one's last
breather
breathe to
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Cite this Entry

“Breather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breather. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

breather

noun
breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər How to pronounce breather (audio)
1
: one that breathes
2
: a pause for rest : break

Medical Definition

breather

noun
breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər How to pronounce breather (audio)
: one that breathes usually in a specified way see mouth breather

More from Merriam-Webster on breather

Nglish: Translation of breather for Spanish Speakers

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