gulped; gulping; gulps

transitive verb

1
: to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one swallow
2
: to keep back as if by swallowing
gulp down a sob
3
: to take in readily as if by swallowing
gulp down knowledge

intransitive verb

: to catch the breath as if in taking a long drink
gulp noun
gulper noun

Examples of gulp in a Sentence

She told him not to gulp his food. The exhausted racers lay on the ground, gulping air. The exhausted racers were gulping for air. I gulped nervously before beginning my speech. “That's a lot of money,” she gulped. He gulped back tears as he thanked the rescuers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now revitalized, Madeline confronts Helen, who has also gulped the elixir, and wild smackdowns and realignments follow. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024 With its 33 Raptor engines gulping 40,000 pounds of liquid oxygen and methane fuel per second, the Super Heavy-Starship majestically climbed away to the east over the Gulf of Mexico atop a brilliant plume of white-hot flame and a churning cloud of exhaust. William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2024 The three of them confronting the guy — Chet, is pretty hilarious, and Paul successfully scares him into gulping in fear. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2024 Indeed, wine is a fundamentally a convivial beverage; it is not meant to be chugged, slammed, or gulped. Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gulp 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from a Middle Dutch or Middle Low German word akin to Dutch & Frisian gulpen to bubble forth, drink deep; akin to Old English gielpan to boast — more at yelp

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gulp was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near gulp

Cite this Entry

“Gulp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gulp. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

gulp

verb
1
: to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one swallow
2
: to keep back as if by swallowing
gulp down a sob
3
: to catch the breath as if in taking a long drink
gulp noun
gulper noun

More from Merriam-Webster on gulp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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