respirable
respirable Lexical Profile
respirable Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Capable of being breathed in; specifically, of airborne particles, dust, or aerosols small enough to be inhaled deep into the gas-exchange regions of the lungs.
"Construction workers must wear protective masks to avoid inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust."
Fit or suitable for breathing; containing sufficient oxygen and free of toxic gases to support life.
"The spacecraft's life-support system continuously scrubs carbon dioxide to maintain a respirable atmosphere for the crew."
Word Nuance & Usage
In occupational health and environmental science, 'respirable' specifically denotes airborne particles or hazardous dust small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, whereas in general or literary contexts it means air that is clean and suitable for breathing.
• Rhymes for respirable
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Middle French respirable or Late Latin respirabilis, from Latin respirare ('to breathe again, breathe in and out'), from re- ('again') + spirare ('to breathe').