gasp

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verb \ˈgasp\

Definition of gasp

intransitive verb
1 : to catch the breath convulsively and audibly (as with shock)
2 : to breathe laboriously
transitive verb
: to utter in a gasping manner

gasp

noun

See gasp defined for English-language learners

See gasp defined for kids

Examples of gasp in a Sentence

Mom gasped in surprise at the sight of my sister's new haircut.
He gasped as he stepped into the icy water.
a dying man gasping for breath
She was gasping for air.

Recent Examples of gasp from the Web

Klein collapsed and fell suddenly ill — she could be heard gasping for air in the background as Ferrante called 911 for an ambulance — on April 17, 2013.

— joe mandak, The Seattle Times, "Man’s appeal in wife’s cyanide poisoning: Case lacks proof," 13 July 2017
For services, a Brazilian wax on average costs $37.50 here, compared to $5.81 in Egypt (gasp).

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "This Is How Much Beauty Products and Services Cost Around the World," 29 June 2017
Blood oxygen levels fall and the brain awakens the person, who then snorts or gasps for air and then resumes snoring.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "How to fix common sleep problems," 26 June 2017
Even the crowd gasped when blood gushed down Hardy's face.

— dan gelston, chicagotribune.com, "Chael Sonnen tops Wanderlei Silva in unanimous decision at Bellator in New York," 25 June 2017
The unexpected shock forces a person to gasp, risking water intake into the lungs and possible panic.

— OregonLive.com, "Boating safety takes center stage as a hot weekend approaches," 22 June 2017
When Pennsylvania led by 17 points in the fourth quarter, Harris walloped a quarterback with a hit that led the 6,200 announced fans in attendance to gasp.

— callie caplan, baltimoresun.com, "Milford Mill's J'Quane Harris comes up big as Maryland’s MVP in Big 33 loss Saturday night," 18 June 2017
Hit with all kinds of injuries - even one player got shingles - FSU wheezed and gasped to find momentum.

— ron higgins, NOLA.com, "Florida State's 15-time CWS bridesmaid Mike Martin wants a national title ring on his finger," 16 June 2017
Patients taken off ventilators will often gasp for air.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "The Disputed Death of an 8-Year-Old Whose Organs Were Donated," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gasp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gasp

Middle English; akin to Old Norse geispa to yawn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

GASP Defined for English Language Learners

gasp

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verb

Definition of gasp for English Language Learners

: to breathe in suddenly and loudly with your mouth open because of surprise, shock, or pain
: to breathe with difficulty
: to say (something) with quick, difficult breaths

GASP Defined for Kids

gasp

play

verb \ˈgasp\

Definition of gasp for Students

gasped

;

gasping

1 : to breathe in suddenly and loudly with the mouth open because of surprise, shock, or pain I could see … spectators gasping at moves no human had ever made before. — Jerry Spinelli, Crash
2 : to breathe with difficulty : pant The runners were gasping after the race.
3 : to utter with quick difficult breaths “I think we're lost,” she gasped.