breathe meaning and definition

BREATHE verb

Definition of breathe (verb)

1. draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
   • "I can breathe better when the air is clean"; "The patient is respiring"
   • synonyms: respire, suspire, take a breath
2. be alive
   • "Every creature that breathes"
3. impart as if by breathing
   • "He breathed new life into the old house"
4. allow the passage of air through
   • "Our new synthetic fabric breathes and is perfect for summer wear"
5. utter or tell
   • "not breathe a word"
6. manifest or evince
   • "She breathes the Christian spirit"
7. take a short break from one's activities in order to relax
   • synonyms: catch one's breath, rest, take a breather
8. 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"
9. expel (gases or odors)
   • synonyms: emit, pass off