artificial respiration. n. A procedure used to restore or maintain respiration in a person or animal that has stopped breathing. The method uses mechanical or manual means to force air into and out of the lungs in a rhythmic fashion. artificial respiration. n. 1. (Medicine) any of various methods of restarting breathing after it has stopped, by manual rhythmic pressure on the chest, mouth-to-mouth breathing, etc. 2. (Medicine) any method of maintaining respiration artificially, as by use of an iron lung.