noun
breathing
The process of taking air into and out of the lungs.
The sleeping baby's breathing remains slow and steady throughout the quiet night.
Etymology
The ending turns the action of breathing into a process noun. It names the continuing cycle of taking air in and letting it out.
More examples
- Running up the stairs made her breathing faster.
- He listened to the dog's gentle breathing.
- The doctor checked his breathing with a stethoscope.
Forms
breathing
Similar words
- respiration
- Respiration is the more technical term and can also refer to cellular energy processes.