hyperventilation

noun

hy·​per·​ven·​ti·​la·​tion ˌhī-pər-ˌven-tə-ˈlā-shən 

: excessive rate and depth of respiration leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood

Examples of hyperventilation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Similarly, the National Weather Service notes that water below 77°F can cause a gasp reflex and hyperventilation, drastically increasing drowning risk, even in calm conditions. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025

While the plane was able to safely land, and no one was seriously injured, 12 people went to the hospital and were treated for hyperventilation. —Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2025

Mild anxiety or stress: Mild anxiety or stress can trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, leading to faster, shallower breathing (hyperventilation). —Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025

The breathy-stutter GOAT might be ASMR Ceri, whose videos verge on straight-up hyperventilation. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hyperventilation

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

hyperventilation

noun

hy·​per·​ven·​ti·​la·​tion ˌhī-pər-ˌvent-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

: breathing that is very fast and deep and leads to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood

hyperventilate

-ˈvent-ᵊl-ˌāt

verb

Medical Definition

hyperventilation

noun

hy·​per·​ven·​ti·​la·​tion -ˌvent-ᵊl-ˈā-shən 

: excessive ventilation

specifically : excessive rate and depth of respiration leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood

called also overventilation