To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire convulsively; to pant violently.

To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire.

The act of opening the mouth convulsively to catch the breath; a labored respiration; a painful catching of the breath.

a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open; "she gave a gasp and fainted"

breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted; "The runners reached the finish line, panting heavily"

a rapid intake of breath

A reflex motor response characterized by (1) open mouth, (2) rapid inhale, followed by (3) breath-holding. Gasping may be audible or inaudible. Sometimes breath-holding (and immobility) may occur without the rapid inhaling. See also awe; freeze response; surprise.