respirator
RESS-puh-ray-ter
/ˈrɛspəreɪtər/
A device worn over the mouth and nose to protect against inhaling harmful vapors, gases, or airborne particles.
Refers specifically to protective breathing equipment fitted with filter cartridges or air supply, superior to simple dust masks.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'respirare' (to breathe out, exhale), formed from 're-' (again) and 'spirare' (to breathe). The mechanical mask device was named in the 19th century as industrial dust protections developed.
Word relationships
- gas mask: Gas mask is a colloquial term often reserved for military/industrial full-face masks, while respirator is the professional umbrella term.
- breathing apparatus: Breathing apparatus can include self-contained oxygen tanks (SCBA), whereas respirator includes simple filter masks.
Commonly confused with
- ventilator: A respirator protects healthy lungs from dirty air; a ventilator actively pumps air into lungs that cannot breathe on their own.
Word family
- respire (verb): To breathe air in and out.
- respiratory (adjective): Relating to breathing or organs of breathing.
Collocations
- air-purifying respirator
- full-face respirator
- fit-test respirator
- wear a respirator
Example sentences
- "Emergency crews wore full-face respirators equipped with organic vapor cartridges while repairing the ammonia leak." Industrial safety standards
- "Without a properly fitted respirator, entering the chemical warehouse carries severe respiratory risks." Hazardous material cleanup
Memory hook
RESPIRATOR keeps your RESPIRATORY system safe from bad air. Breathing shield.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a medical ventilator (which mechanically pumps air into non-breathing hospital patients).
Fun facts
- N95 respirators get their name because they filter out at least 95 percent of airborne non-oily particles as small as 0.3 microns.
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