gasp

/gæsp/

/gɑsp/

Other forms: gasped; gasping; gasps

A gasp is the sound made by a sharp inward breath. After running up a steep hill, your breath will come in gasps.

When you make the sound of a gasp, you gasp: "It was so surprising to see my lost cat sitting calmly on the front porch that it made me gasp." People tend to gasp when they're shocked or hurt. A "last gasp" is the moment just before someone dies — it can also mean the point of completing or ending something: "It was the last gasp of video stores in my city when that one closed."

Definitions of gasp

1. noun

   a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
   “she gave a gasp and fainted”

   synonyms: pant

   type of:

   aspiration, breathing in, inhalation, inspiration, intake

   the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
2. verb

   breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
   synonyms: heave, pant, puff

   type of:

   blow

   exhale hard
3. verb

   inhale sharply and suddenly, as with shock
   type of:

   breathe in, inhale, inspire

   draw in (air)
4. verb

   utter while gasping, as if out of breath
   synonyms: pant

   type of:

   emit, let loose, let out, utter

   express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)