respiratory

[res-per-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ri-spahyuhr-uh-]

adjective

1. pertaining to or serving for respiration.

   respiratory disease.

respiratory

/ -trɪ, ˈrɛspərətərɪ, ˌrɛspəˈreɪʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or affecting respiration or the organs used in respiration

Word History and Origins

Origin of respiratory¹

1780–90; < Late Latin respīrātōrius, equivalent to Latin respīrā ( re ) to respire + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Universal vaccines are urgently needed to provide broader protection against ever-changing respiratory viruses, such as influenza, that are major pandemic threats.

From Salon

He withdrew $500 million in funding earmarked for developing vaccines against respiratory viruses.

From Los Angeles Times

He was shocked to see the name of his older brother, Dale, a forklift truck-operator who had died of respiratory failure a year earlier.

From BBC

Nitrogen dioxide has been associated with adverse health effects including increased respiratory symptoms.

From BBC

And here’s some advice about flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV:

From Los Angeles Times