- 1(also breathing space [uncountable, singular]) a short rest in the middle of a busy period I've got very little breathing room in my afternoon schedule. Thesaurusrest
- break
- respite
- time out
- breathing room
- rest a period of relaxing, sleeping, or doing nothing after a period of activity:We stopped for a well-deserved rest.
- break a short period of time when you stop what you are doing and rest or eat:Let's take a break.
- respite a short break from something difficult or unpleasant:The medicine brought a brief respite from the pain.
- time out (informal) time for resting or relaxing away from your usual work or studies:Let's take (some) time out to gather our thoughts.
- breathing room a short rest in the middle of a busy period:I've got very little breathing room in my afternoon schedule.
- (a) rest/break/respite/time out from something
- to have/take (a) rest/break/time out
- to give somebody (a) rest/break/respite/breathing room
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2(also breathing space [uncountable]) enough space to breathe comfortably
Check pronunciation: breathing room