Medical Root
spir/o
spir/o means breathing (from the Latin spirare, meaning to breathe).
What does spir/o mean?
The root spir/o means breathing. It comes from the Latin word spirare, meaning to breathe. It appears in words about breathing and its measurement. For example, spirometry is the measurement of breathing, and an inspiration is a breath in. It often appears with prefixes such as in- (in) and ex- (out) to show the direction of the breath.
Example words using spir/o
Related word parts
Frequently asked questions
What does spir/o mean?
The root spir/o means breathing and comes from Latin.
What is spirometry?
It is the measurement of breathing, combining spir/o with -metry (measurement).
What is the difference between inspiration and expiration?
Inspiration is breathing in and expiration is breathing out, both built on the root spir/o.
Study reference only — not medical advice. Always consult qualified sources for clinical decisions.