respirable

adjective

re·​spi·​ra·​ble ˈre-sp(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce respirable (audio) ri-ˈspī-rə- How to pronounce respirable (audio)
: fit for breathing
also : capable of being taken in by breathing
respirable particles of ash

Examples of respirable 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.
The company maintains that potential inhalation exposure to respirable manganese from operating the Hermosa Project would not pose a health risk for people in nearby communities. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 2 July 2024 The Labor Department rule lowers the permissible exposure limit of respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour average. Matthew Daly, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024 The Mine Safety and Health Administration, or MSHA, has proposed a new rule that would lower miners' exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Ted Koppel, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2023 At concrete batch plants, respirable crystalline silica can come from cement and fly ash, a powder used in producing cement. Elena Bruess, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Sep. 2021 Although last year with the rule in effect, government reports indicated that respirable dust levels fell to historic lows. Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of respirable was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near respirable

Cite this Entry

“Respirable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respirable. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

respirable

adjective
re·​spi·​ra·​ble ˈres-p(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce respirable (audio) ri-ˈspī-rə- How to pronounce respirable (audio)
1
: fit for breathing
respirable air
2
: capable of being taken in by breathing
respirable particles of ash
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!