IPA: /briːð/
KK: /briz/
To take air into the lungs and let it out again; to inhale and exhale.
After running, I needed a moment to breathe and catch my breath.
Past: breathed
Past Participle: breathed
To take in air and let it out through the lungs, or to allow someone or something to rest and recover their breath.
After running for a while, I needed to breathe deeply to catch my breath.
Past: breathed
Past Participle: breathed
Breathe → The word originates from Old English 'brēathan', meaning to breathe or to blow. It is related to the Proto-Germanic '*breathwōną', which also means to breathe. The word describes the act of taking air into the lungs and expelling it.
Think of the Old English word 'brēathan' which means to blow or take in air — this helps you remember that to breathe is to take in air.