Meaning & use

oxygen

noun·Academic

A colorless, odorless gas in the air that humans and animals need to breathe in order to survive.

See it in a sentence

Firefighters carried extra tanks of oxygen so they could breathe safely inside the smoke-filled building.

The climbers used bottled oxygen to help their bodies cope with the thin mountain air.

A note on using this word

Oxygen is normally uncountable; say 'oxygen levels' or 'an oxygen tank', not 'an oxygen'.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

Renewed energy, encouragement, or attention that keeps something going or helps it grow.

Positive reviews gave fresh oxygen to the struggling restaurant's business.

Make it your own

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