A1 noun Neutral

respirator

/ˈrɛspɪreɪtər/

A respirator is a device worn over the nose and mouth to prevent a person from inhaling harmful substances like dust or chemicals. In a medical context, it can also refer to a machine that helps a patient breathe when they cannot do so on their own.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I wear a respirator when I paint the walls to avoid the fumes.

I wear a breathing mask when painting the walls to stay safe from the smell.

2

All staff must wear a respirator while working in the chemical laboratory.

Every employee is required to use a breathing device in the chemistry lab.

3

Don't forget your respirator; the dust in this garage is really bad.

Remember your mask because there is a lot of dust in this garage.

Word Family

Noun
respirator
Verb
respire
Adjective
respiratory
Related
respiration
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Respirator' as your 'Rescue-Air-Maker'—it rescues you from bad air.

Quick Quiz

The worker put on his ___ before entering the dusty construction site.

Correct!

The correct answer is: respirator

Examples

1

I wear a respirator when I paint the walls to avoid the fumes.

everyday

I wear a breathing mask when painting the walls to stay safe from the smell.

2

All staff must wear a respirator while working in the chemical laboratory.

formal

Every employee is required to use a breathing device in the chemistry lab.

3

Don't forget your respirator; the dust in this garage is really bad.

informal

Remember your mask because there is a lot of dust in this garage.

4

The study evaluated the filtration efficiency of the N95 respirator.

academic

The research looked at how well the N95 mask filters air.

5

Our company provides a high-quality respirator to ensure employee safety.

business

Our business gives workers good breathing masks to keep them safe.

Word Family

Noun
respirator
Verb
respire
Adjective
respiratory
Related
respiration

Common Collocations

wear a respirator to put on a breathing mask for protection
medical respirator a breathing device used in hospitals
industrial respirator a mask used for heavy factory work
N95 respirator a specific type of mask that filters 95% of particles
fit a respirator to check that the mask covers the face properly

Common Phrases

powered respirator

a mask that uses a fan to help you breathe

disposable respirator

a mask intended to be used once and thrown away

full-face respirator

a mask that covers the eyes, nose, and mouth

Often Confused With

respirator vs ventilator

A respirator usually filters air for you to breathe; a ventilator is a machine that pumps air into your lungs.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'respirator' when discussing safety equipment that filters air or medical machines that assist breathing. It is more technical than the simple word 'mask'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'respirator' for a simple cloth mask, but a respirator is usually a more heavy-duty, certified safety device.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Respirator' as your 'Rescue-Air-Maker'—it rescues you from bad air.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'respirare', which means 'to breathe again'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural: respirators
🌍

Cultural Context

The word became very common globally during the COVID-19 pandemic as people discussed medical-grade protection.

Quick Quiz

The worker put on his ___ before entering the dusty construction site.

Correct!

The correct answer is: respirator

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radiologist

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gynecologist

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ophthalmologist

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intensive care unit

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symptom

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