respirator

UK: /ˈrɛspɪreɪtə^r/ US: /ˈrɛspəˌreɪtɚ/ ,(res′pə rā′tər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

res•pi•ra•tor /ˈrɛspəˌreɪtɚ/   n. [countable]

1. Medicine a machine that produces artificial respiration:
   hooked up the crash victim to a respirator and rushed him to the hospital.
2. Medicine a filtering device worn over the nose and mouth to prevent inhaling dangerous substances.

See -spir-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

res•pi•ra•tor  (res′pə rā′tər), n. 

1. Medicine a masklike device, usually of gauze, worn over the mouth, or nose and mouth, to prevent the inhalation of noxious substances or the like.
2. British Terms, Medicine See gas mask. 
3. Medicine an apparatus to produce artificial respiration.

• Latin respīrāt(us) (see respiration) + -or²
• 1785–95

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

respirator / ˈrɛspəˌreɪtə/ noun

1. an apparatus for providing long-term artificial respiration
2. Also called: gas mask a device worn over the mouth and nose to prevent inhalation of noxious fumes or to warm cold air before it is breathed