1Shortness of breath; panting after exertion; being out of breath.
急な坂道を走ったら息切れしてしまった。
I got out of breath after running up a steep hill.
高齢者は少し歩いただけで息切れすることがある。
Elderly people may get short of breath after only a little walking.
喘息の発作で激しい息切れが起きた。
A severe bout of breathlessness occurred during an asthma attack.
2Figuratively, running out of steam; losing momentum or efficiency (for a project, economy, etc.).
そのプロジェクトは資金不足で息切れしている。
The project is running out of steam due to lack of funds.
景気の回復が鈍く、経済の息切れが懸念されている。
Recovery in the economy is weak, and there are concerns that it is losing momentum.
連続の残業で彼の仕事のペースが息切れしてきた。
After consecutive overtime, his work pace has begun to run out of steam.