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
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.
Earning our Editor's Choice Award for high-end fitness tracker, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 measures tons of advanced metrics, including (underwater) heart rate, respiration rate, stress level, pulse ox, and more, with access to over 20 preloaded sports apps and on-screen animations. Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024 Nylon is one of the reasons for this: it is released from textiles and enters the body via respiration, for example. Joe Salas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2024 The altered patterns of respiration might impact health and emotion, according to the paper, though more research will be needed to prove it. Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 Enzymes also help with nerve function, respiration, digestion, muscle growth and much more. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for respiration 

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 26 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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