breather

noun

breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər 

1

: one that breathes

2

: a break in activity for rest or relief

3

: a small vent in an otherwise airtight enclosure

Synonyms

• break
• breath
• interruption
• lull
• pause
• recess

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

Meanwhile, the men take a breather at a cigar factory, hoping to reset after the chaos. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Feb. 2025

But somewhere in the United States, and this is true, a heavy night of drinking and Chinese cuisine consumption by a couple of mouth breathers became a sketchy wager. —David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025

All while needing to take a breather from time to time. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025

Barkley, whose 314 carries embody the bulk of a historic load, can take a well-deserved breather. —Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for breather

• either
• neither

Kids Definition

breather

noun

breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər 

1

: one that breathes

2

: a pause for rest : break

Medical Definition

breather

noun

breath·​er ˈbrē-t͟hər 

: one that breathes usually in a specified way see mouth breather