mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2formal/technical (medical/emergency contexts)
Quick answer
What does “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation” mean?
An emergency lifesaving technique involving blowing air into an unconscious person's lungs through their mouth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An emergency lifesaving technique involving blowing air into an unconscious person's lungs through their mouth.
A component of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) used to maintain airflow and oxygenate the blood when someone has stopped breathing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical. In formal guidelines (e.g., UK Resuscitation Council, American Heart Association), the technique is now more precisely termed 'rescue breaths' as part of CPR, with 'mouth-to-mouth' remaining the common descriptive term.
Connotations
Same in both varieties. Carries connotations of urgency, first aid, and potential intimacy/discomfort due to the direct contact involved.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The formal shift towards 'rescue breaths' is equally prevalent in professional contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation” in a Sentence
perform ~ on someoneadminister ~give someone ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lifeguard was trained to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
- She had to give the casualty mouth-to-mouth.
American English
- The paramedic began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation immediately.
- He administered mouth-to-mouth until the ambulance arrived.
adverb
British English
- This phrase is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This phrase is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The first-aid course covered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation techniques.
- They practiced on a manikin during the mouth-to-mouth module.
American English
- The CPR class included mouth-to-mouth resuscitation training.
- He remembered the mouth-to-mouth procedure from his certification.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in first-aid training policies for workplaces.
Academic
Used in medical, nursing, and emergency response literature and training.
Everyday
Understood by most adults, typically in contexts discussing first aid, emergencies, or news reports.
Technical
Standard term in first aid, emergency medicine, and CPR guidelines, though often specified as 'rescue breaths' in current protocols.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'mouth to mouth-resuscitation'. Misspelling 'resuscitation'. Using it as a verb ('He mouth-to-mouthed her') is highly informal and non-standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is now more precisely called 'rescue breaths' and is often combined with chest compressions. For untrained responders or in certain situations, compression-only CPR is often advised.
The risk is considered very low, but it is a common concern. Using a protective barrier device like a face shield is recommended. The priority in a life-threatening situation is to save a life.
Mouth-to-mouth (rescue breaths) is one component of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Full CPR involves both chest compressions (to circulate blood) and rescue breaths (to provide oxygen).
'The kiss of life' is an informal, chiefly British term. It uses the metaphor of a kiss to describe the act of blowing air into someone's mouth, emphasizing it as a life-giving act.
An emergency lifesaving technique involving blowing air into an unconscious person's lungs through their mouth.
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is usually formal/technical (medical/emergency contexts) in register.
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmaʊθ tə ˌmaʊθ rɪˌsʌs.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmaʊθ tə ˌmaʊθ rɪˌsʌs.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the kiss of life (UK informal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MOUTH-TO-MOUTH: Imagine two mouths facing each other, with a lifesaving RESUSCITATION (revival) arrow of air passing between them.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS BREATH (transferring breath transfers life).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key purpose of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?