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Definition of breathalyzer

breathalyzer

/ˈbrɛθəˌlaɪzər/
(UK: breathalyser)
breath · a · ly · zer
Plural:breathalyzers
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breathalyzer Lexical Profile

breathalyzer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A portable device used by law enforcement or medical personnel to estimate blood alcohol content from a sample of a person's exhaled breath.

Example

"The traffic officer asked the driver to blow steadily into the breathalyzer during the roadside safety check."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for breathalyzer

• Nearby Words

breathability
breathable
breathalyze
breathalyzer
breathe
breather
breathily

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1954 as a trademarked blend of 'breath' and 'analyzer' by Robert F. Borkenstein, a former Indiana State Police captain who invented the portable device.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Breathalyzer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/breathalyzer
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