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breath test: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

B2
UK/ˈbreθ ˌtest/US/ˈbreθ ˌtest/

Formal, Legal, Medical

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Quick answer

What does “breath test” mean?

A procedure to analyse the breath for the presence and quantity of alcohol or other substances, typically using a device (breathalyser).

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A procedure to analyse the breath for the presence and quantity of alcohol or other substances, typically using a device (breathalyser).

Any medical or legal test that analyses exhaled air, including tests for alcohol intoxication (the most common), certain metabolic disorders (e.g., hydrogen breath test for lactose intolerance), or infections.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Concept and term are identical. The associated legal limit and procedures differ slightly. The device is commonly called a 'breathalyser' (UK) or 'Breathalyzer' (US, a trademark often generalised).

Connotations

Both carry strong legal/penal connotations. In the UK, it is heavily associated with roadside police stops. In the US, it's also associated with DUI checkpoints.

Frequency

Similar high frequency in legal and news contexts related to driving offences.

Grammar

How to Use “breath test” in a Sentence

to take/do/have a breath testto give/administer a breath test (to someone)to fail/pass a breath testto refuse a breath test

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
fail a breath testtake a breath testpolice breath testroadside breath testbreath test resultpositive breath test
medium
undergo a breath testrefuse a breath testbreath test devicecompulsory breath testadminister a breath test
weak
random breath testbreath test machinerequest a breath testvoluntary breath test

Examples

Examples of “breath test” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The officer has the power to breath-test any driver he suspects of drinking.
  • He was breath-tested at the roadside.

American English

  • At the checkpoint, police can breath-test any motorist.
  • She was breath-tested after the accident.

adjective

British English

  • He was arrested for failing the breath-test procedure.
  • The breath-test results were used as evidence.

American English

  • She refused the breath-test request.
  • The state has strict breath-test laws.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, except in corporate policies on alcohol/drug use for drivers.

Academic

Used in legal, medical, or public health research papers on substance abuse.

Everyday

Common in news reports about drink-driving arrests or discussions about legal limits.

Technical

Precise term in forensic science, traffic law, and clinical diagnostics (e.g., 'hydrogen breath test').

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “breath test”

Strong

Breathalyzersobriety test (though this can include physical tests)

Neutral

breathalyser testalcohol testintoxilyser test

Weak

screeningexhalation analysis

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “breath test”

blood test (for direct comparison of method)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “breath test”

  • Using 'breath test' as a verb without hyphenation (incorrect: 'The police will breath test you'; correct: '...breath-test you').
  • Confusing 'breath test' (procedure) with 'breath sample' (the air analysed).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while most commonly associated with alcohol testing, breath tests are also used in medicine to diagnose conditions like lactose intolerance (hydrogen breath test) or certain bacterial infections.

In most jurisdictions, refusing a lawful request for a breath test from a police officer is a criminal offence, often with penalties similar to or greater than failing the test itself, such as an automatic licence suspension.

A breath test estimates blood alcohol concentration indirectly from breath and is used for immediate screening. A blood test measures alcohol directly in the blood and is considered more accurate, often used as definitive evidence in court.

Medical breath tests (e.g., for lactose) measure specific gases like hydrogen or methane produced by gut bacteria when they ferment undigested carbohydrates. The patient consumes a substrate (like lactose), and their breath is analysed at intervals.

A procedure to analyse the breath for the presence and quantity of alcohol or other substances, typically using a device (breathalyser).

Breath test is usually formal, legal, medical in register.

Breath test: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbreθ ˌtest/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbreθ ˌtest/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Over the limit (after a breath test)”
  • “Blow into the bag”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a TEST where you BREATHE into a device. The police will not let you REST if you fail the BREATH TEST.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE BODY AS EVIDENCE (breath reveals internal state), A TEST AS A GATEKEEPER (pass=free to go, fail=consequences).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The driver was asked to .
Multiple Choice

In a medical context, a 'breath test' is LEAST likely to be used for:

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