hyperventilate

American  

[hahy-per-ven-tl-eyt] / ˌhaɪ pərˈvɛn tlˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating

1. to be afflicted with hyperventilation; breathe abnormally fast and deep.

---

verb (used with object)

hyperventilated, hyperventilating

1. to cause (a patient) to breathe more rapidly and deeply than normal.

hyperventilate British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈvɛntɪleɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to breathe in an abnormally deep, long, and rapid manner, sometimes resulting in cramp and dizziness

---

Etymology

Origin of hyperventilate

First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from hyperventilation

Example Sentences

She felt herself starting to hyperventilate, and she fought down the terror that was threatening to swallow her.

From Literature

After their Game 7 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays, I was so spent that I hyperventilated for what felt like an hour.

From Los Angeles Times

Wall Street spent Monday hyperventilating about margin hikes on silver traders.

From MarketWatch

It’s raspy and frantic and the thought occurs to me I might be starting to hyperventilate.

From Literature

Another witness told OnScene.TV that another family member was evacuated after she started hyperventilating and her blood pressure spiked.

From Los Angeles Times