respiration
English meaning: Respiration
Definition
The process by which living things take in oxygen and release energy from food; also breathing.
Example
“During respiration, cells break down sugar to release the energy the body needs to function.”
Another example: “The paramedic checked the casualty's pulse and respiration.”
Usage — When, Where & How
An uncountable noun used in biology and medicine. Two senses: the cellular process of releasing energy, and breathing itself (artificial respiration). More formal than 'breathing'. Used attributively (respiration rate).
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'respiratio', from 'respirare' (to breathe again), from 're-' plus 'spirare' (to breathe).
Synonyms
Related Words
- respire
- exhalation
- glycolysis
- photosynthesis
- anaerobic
- aerobic
- acceptor
- facultative
- excretion
- mitochondria
- fermentation
- cutaneous
Common Collocations
- cellular respiration
- aerobic respiration
- anaerobic respiration
- artificial respiration
- respiration rate
- rate of respiration
Word Forms
respiration (n); respire (v); respiratory (adj)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B