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Glite Dictionary
breathing apparatus

breathing apparatus

3 4.4
A device that helps a person breathe when the air is unsafe or not available
  • noun
  • /ˈbriːðɪŋ ˌæpəˈrætəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aparato respiratorio
  • The firefighters wore their breathing apparatus to safely enter the smoke-filled building.
  • self-contained breathing apparatus
  • underwater breathing apparatus
  • wear a breathing apparatus

You know, when we took steps, those steps were decoupled from our breathing apparatus.

Examples

  • Instruct the landing party to wear pressure suits, and breathing apparatus.

    Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster (1965)

  • Something went wrong: Lentz, outfitted in a self-contained breathing apparatus, could hear and feel the gas escaping.

    Blog text (27)

  • But you have to have this breathing apparatus with you the whole time.

    Vaxxed II: The People's Truth (2020)

  • I installed a breathing apparatus in your helmet.

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)

  • Hey do you wear your environmental breathing apparatus 24/7, like they tell you?

    Population 2 (2012)

  • She quickly pulled out her breathing apparatus and tossed the other one to Taylor.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Then he donned his breathing apparatus and finally the hazmat suit.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • The breathing apparatus had been fabricated out of giant seashells.

    Mysterious Island (1961)

  • Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

    Dead Ringers (1988)

  • As Larch bends over Fuzzy to fix the breathing apparatus, Fuzzy whispers.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

ventilator
vsbreathing apparatus
  • Specialized
38 4.6

A machine that moves air into and out of a person's lungs when they cannot breathe alone

is any tool designed to help air reach lungs rather than force it mechanically
respirator
vsbreathing apparatus
  • Specialized
18 4.9

A machine that helps a person breathe by moving air into and out of their lungs

is for assisting air entry in short or variable situations rather than prolonged use
oxygen mask
vsbreathing apparatus
15 3.4

A covering you wear over the nose and mouth to give oxygen in emergencies or medical care

is a general name covering both mechanical and non-mechanical air helpers
breathing machine
vsbreathing apparatus
4 3.4

A machine that helps a person get air into their lungs when they cannot do it on their own

is used in many situations beyond illness or injury to enable air entry
breathing device
vsbreathing apparatus
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A machine that helps a person take air into their lungs when they cannot do it themselves

is a broader term covering any tool that helps air reach the lungs
inhalator
vsbreathing apparatus
  • Archaic
1 8.2

A machine that helps someone breathe by giving air or oxygen

is a more general term covering various ways to help air reach lungs

How Supportive

ventilator
  • Specialized
38 4.6
breathing apparatus
  • Specialized
3 4.4
oxygen mask
15 3.4

Surface Forms

breathing apparatus singular
breathing apparatuses plural

Morphology

breathing + apparatus

The meaning 'a device designed to assist or enable a person to breathe' is directly derivable from combining 'breathing' (the process of inhaling and exhaling) with 'apparatus' (assembled instruments or machinery). This noun + noun composition is fully compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Breathing apparatus names exactly what it is: breathing means 'to take air in and out' and apparatus is a word for a tool or machine. So it shows a machine that helps someone 'breathe', which is why it means 'a device that helps a person breathe'.