Breathing vs. Breath — What's the Difference?

Breathing (or ventilation) is the process of moving air out and in the lungs to facilitate gas exchange with the internal environment, mostly to flush out carbon dioxide and bring in oxygen. All aerobic creatures need oxygen for cellular respiration, which uses the oxygen to break down foods for energy and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.

The air taken into or expelled from the lungs

The act or process of respiration.

The act or process of breathing; respiration

A single breath.

A single act of breathing

The time required to take one's breath.

The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration

Either of two marks, the rough breathing ( ʿ ) and the smooth breathing (  ), used in Greek to indicate presence or absence of aspiration.

Air that is exhaled, as evidenced by vapor or odor

The presence or absence of aspiration indicated by either of these marks.

The capacity to breathe, especially in a natural and unlabored manner

Gerund of breathe: (uncountable) The act of respiration; (countable) a single instance of this.

Spirit or vitality

A diacritical mark indicating aspiration or lack thereof.

A momentary pause or rest

(archaic) Time to recover one's breath; hence, a delay, a spell of time.

A momentary stirring of air

Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration.

A softly spoken sound; a whisper

Aspiration; secret prayer.

(Linguistics) Exhalation of air without vibration of the vocal cords, as in the articulation of p and s.

Present participle of breathe

(uncountable) The act or process of breathing.

Respiration; the act of inhaling and exhaling air.

(countable) A single act of breathing in or out; a breathing of air.

Air in gentle motion.

(uncountable) Air expelled from the lungs.

Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration; as, the breathings of the Spirit.

(countable) A rest or pause.

Aspiration; secret prayer.

A small amount of something, such as wind, or common sense.

Exercising; promotion of respiration.

(obsolete) Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume.

Utterance; communication or publicity by words.

(obsolete) Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.

Breathing place; vent.

Misspelling of breathe

Stop; pause; delay.

The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc.

Also, in a wider sense, the sound caused by the friction of the outgoing breath in the throat, mouth, etc., when the glottis is wide open; aspiration; the sound expressed by the letter h.

The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath.

A mark to indicate aspiration or its absence. See Rough breathing, Smooth breathing, below.

The power of respiration, and hence, life.

The bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

Time to breathe; respite; pause.

Passing or able to pass air in and out of the lungs normally; sometimes used in combination;

A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant.

Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life.

A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle.

A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion.

Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume.

Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.

The process of taking in and expelling air during breathing;

The air that is inhaled and exhaled in respiration;

A short respite

An indirect suggestion;

A slight movement of the air;