take air into the lungs and then expel it, especially as a regular physiological process:she was breathing deeplybreathe in through your nosehe breathed out heavily [with object]:we are polluting the air we breathe
be alive; remain living:at least I’m still breathing
literary (of wind) blow softly.
[with direct speech] say something with quiet intensity:‘We’re together at last,’ she breathed
(of an animal or plant) respire or exchange gases:plants breathe through their roots
[with object] give an impression of (something):the whole room breathed an air of hygienic efficiency
(of wine) be exposed to fresh air:letting a wine breathe allows oxygen to enter
(of material or soil) admit or emit air or moisture:let your lawn breathe by putting air into the soil
[with object] allow (a horse) to rest after exertion.
(breathe upon) archaic or literary tarnish or taint:before the queen’s fair name was breathed upon
breathe (freely) again
relax after being frightened or tense about something:she wouldn’t breathe freely again until she was airborne
breathe down someone's neck
follow closely behind someone:three wins would have seen us breathing down the neck of United at the top of the table
constantly check up on someone:she’s quite capable of looking after herself without her parents breathing down her neck all the time
breathe one's last
die:as soon as King Henry had breathed his last the barons turned on each other
breathe (new) life into
fill with enthusiasm and energy; reinvigorate:the Prime Minister would breathe new life into his party
breathe a sigh of relief
exhale noisily as a sign of relief:they breathed a great sigh of relief after the election was won
not breathe a word
remain silent about something secret:they would never breathe a word of anything that happened on that fateful night
