Which condition is characterized by a significant increase in breathing rate?

Tachypnea is the condition that signifies a notable increase in the rate of breathing. It typically manifests as rapid, shallow breaths and can be associated with various physiological conditions, including fever, anxiety, or respiratory disorders. The term itself combines the Greek roots "tachy," meaning fast, and "pnea," meaning breathing.

While other conditions might involve changes in breathing patterns, they do not specifically describe an overall increase in the rate of breathing. For example, apnea involves a temporary cessation of breathing, hyperventilation refers to an increase in both the rate and depth of breathing which can lead to decreased carbon dioxide levels, and dyspnea describes the experience of difficulty or discomfort in breathing rather than a quantifiable increase in rate. Therefore, tachypnea directly correlates with the characteristic of a significantly increased breathing rate.