gasp

verb \ ˈgasp \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

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

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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

The film does, however, imagine Kopechne’s final seconds, or minutes, as gasping for air in the rapidly filling car underwater, while her date for the evening failed to rescue her, or even try very hard.

— michael phillips, chicagotribune.com, "'Chappaquiddick' review: Selling a tragedy, the Kennedy way," 5 Apr. 2018
On March 1, 2016, Danbury police found a woman gasping for breath in a gas station restroom.

— don stacom, courant.com, "Waterbury Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing Heroin," 4 Apr. 2018
Carlos Tocci looked up at the sky above center field in Globe Life Park and gasped.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Ready or not: Rangers rookie Carlos Tocci to help fill void in center field | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 1 Apr. 2018
Add a smartphone’s microphone to listen for snoring, and EverSleep can spot signs of sleep apnea, which is associated with agitation, gasping, and low blood oxygen.

— kevin dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "How to Hack Your Sleep," 23 Mar. 2018
Bystanders can be heard gasping as the man stands up, who apparently was not ready to let the argument go.

— william axford, Houston Chronicle, "Man arguing with woman headbutts glass, Houston man's video of it goes viral," 21 Mar. 2018
Finally, Winston’s last-gasp half-court heave smacked off the glass, wide left.

— chris solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State's dream of a national title ends as shots fail to fall," 18 Mar. 2018
Carly Novell woke up early Wednesday in a panic, gasping for air in her Parkland, Fla. bedroom as her mind flashed back to the life-altering day a gunman stormed her high school and killed 17 people.

— Time, "'I Just Want It to Be How It Was.' Florida Shooting Survivors Describe Their First Day Back at School," 28 Feb. 2018
The second is the way the smoke moves, puffing out of windows and under doors, then being sucked back inside, as if the fire were gasping for more fuel upon which to feed.

— sean flynn, Esquire, "The Perfect Fire," 9 Mar. 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 Synonyms

Synonyms

blow, heave, hyperventilate, pant, puff, wheeze;

Related Words

choke, gag, gulp, huff;

asphyxiate, smother, stifle, strangle;

snore, snuffle;

exhale, expire;

Phrases

be out of breath;

GASP Defined for English Language Learners

gasp

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