respiration
noun
res·pi·ra·tion
ˌre-spə-ˈrā-shən 
1
2
: the physical and chemical processes (such as breathing and diffusion) by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
Examples of respiration in a Sentence
The doctor checked his heartbeat and respiration.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cows such as Number 2945, who is standing in the middle of one of Cornell’s new respiration chambers.
—
Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2024
The extra weight increases the heart and respiration rates during exercise.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024
While sleeping, the Galaxy Ring tracks your time in bed, nighttime movement, heart rate, respiration, and sleep latency.
—Andrew Gebhart, PCMAG, 10 July 2024
When tumor cells switch to glycolic respiration, a byproduct makes the tumor microenvironment acidic.
—David Robert Grimes, Scientific American, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for respiration 
Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2024
The extra weight increases the heart and respiration rates during exercise.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024
While sleeping, the Galaxy Ring tracks your time in bed, nighttime movement, heart rate, respiration, and sleep latency.
—Andrew Gebhart, PCMAG, 10 July 2024
When tumor cells switch to glycolic respiration, a byproduct makes the tumor microenvironment acidic.
—David Robert Grimes, Scientific American, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for respiration
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respiration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near respiration
Cite this Entry
“Respiration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respiration. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
respiration
noun
res·pi·ra·tion
ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act or process of breathing
2
: the physical processes (as breathing and diffusion) by which a living thing obtains the oxygen it needs to produce energy and eliminate waste gases (as carbon dioxide)
3
: any of various chemical reactions (as oxidation) in cells that release energy from food molecules (as glucose)
Medical Definition
respiration
noun
res·pi·ra·tion
ˌres-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
a
: the movement of respiratory gases (as oxygen and carbon dioxide) into and out of the lungs
b
: a single complete act of breathing
30 respirations per minute
2
: the physical and chemical processes (as breathing and diffusion) by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
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