respiration

Definition

The biological process of breathing in and out that most of us take for granted until someone makes us count it during meditation. In scientific circles, it refers to the complete gas exchange system that keeps organisms alive, including those weird microbes that don't even have lungs. Fitness instructors love reminding you about it mid-burpee, as if you weren't already painfully aware of your breathing.

Example Usage

The yoga instructor kept saying 'focus on your respiration,' which was easy since I was gasping like a fish out of water.

Source: Medical and biological terminology

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