respiration

noun

res·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌre-spə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce respiration (audio)
1
a
: the movement of air or dissolved gases into and out of the lungs
b
: a single complete act of breathing
… the patient was cyanotic and unconscious with labored respirations at 40/min.Dorwyn W. Croom
2
: the physical and chemical processes (such as breathing and diffusion) by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
3
respiratory adjective

Examples of respiration in a Sentence

The doctor checked his heartbeat and respiration.
Recent Examples on the Web Medical device company Philips reached a settlement Monday to shell out $1.1 billion to cover hundreds of personal injury lawsuits linked to its respiration and sleep apnea machines. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024 For example, orange light stimulated respiration and thyroid function, while magenta wavelengths promoted love and well-being. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 12 Apr. 2024 Multiple dispensers were sometimes required to restore a patient’s breathing, and this was true even if a patient resumed seemingly normal respiration. C.j. Chivers James Patrick Cronin Elena Hecht Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 6 June 2024 Researchers have found that iron and aluminum on fish gills hinder respiration. Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for respiration 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respiration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English respiracioun, from Latin respiration-, respiratio, from respirare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of respiration was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near respiration

Cite this Entry

“Respiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respiration. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

respiration

noun
res·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce respiration (audio)
1
: the act or process of breathing
2
: the physical processes (as breathing and diffusion) by which a living thing obtains the oxygen it needs to produce energy and eliminate waste gases (as carbon dioxide)
3
: any of various chemical reactions (as oxidation) in cells that release energy from food molecules (as glucose)

Medical Definition

respiration

noun
res·​pi·​ra·​tion ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce respiration (audio)
1
a
: the movement of respiratory gases (as oxygen and carbon dioxide) into and out of the lungs
b
: a single complete act of breathing
30 respirations per minute
2
: the physical and chemical processes (as breathing and diffusion) by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
3

More from Merriam-Webster on respiration

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