respire (C2)
verb
Pronunciation: /rɪˈspaɪər/
Definition
Take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide through the lungs or a similar biological process.
Examples
Plants respire by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during the day.
The patient was unable to respire independently and required a mechanical ventilator.
Aerobic organisms must respire to generate the energy necessary for cellular survival.
How to Use respire
- respire independently (collocation)
- to breathe without medical assistance — "The patient is now able to respire independently."
- respire through (prepositional phrase)
- to use a specific organ or medium to breathe — "Fish respire through their gills."
Synonyms of respire
Words with a similar meaning to respire:
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