to pant
- verb
- /pænt/
- After sprinting to catch the bus, he stood on the sidewalk, panting heavily and trying to catch his breath.
- pant for breath
Examples
-
"I ran up the stairs," she panted, putting down a yellow umbrella.
Fiction book (1992) -
With us in the hot shade, two dogs pant and collect flies.
Fiction book (1990) -
You just pant and breathe and count.
-
I'm going to go sit down and pant so I'll see you guys when I need to wash my face.
-
"I have to hold myself back," said his mother, panting and turning away.
Academic text (2007) -
Eventually, he wore himself out and sat panting on the floor to recover.
Fiction book (1991) -
The vision burst, and he jerked his eyes wide, panting into the chill wind.
Fiction book (1990) -
I reach the summit of the Col de Clapier Pass, panting for breath, my heart thudding in my chest.
Academic text (2007) -
When the coughing eased, he lay panting, his forehead wet with sweat, his eyes closed.
Fiction book (1990) -
The muscles of her legs trembled from fatigue as she shivered and panted, teetering from exhaustion.
Fiction book (1992)
Synonyms
To breathe out loudly because of effort or strong feeling
To breathe out quickly and loudly
Breathe too quickly and deeply, often because you feel very scared
Breathe with short, fast breaths after hard exercise or excitement
To breathe quickly and loudly after hard exercise
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
How Hard
Surface Forms
Etymology
Pant as a verb comes from the same sound word that copies heavy breathing. So to pant is to breathe quickly and noisily, often after running or excitement.