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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of hyperventilate

First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from hyperventilation

Example Sentences

The game experience at the Duchess was filled with anxious chatter interrupted by loud bursts of joy when the Huskies scored, with the fourth quarter providing tension enough to make Husky fans everywhere hyperventilate.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2024

Some clinical psychologists, for instance, ask people to hyperventilate and show them what happens.

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2023

Heart pounding at the thought of that, I handed the frames back and dashed outside to hyperventilate.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2021

I’ve had to stop in the middle of a run because I hyperventilate as memories rush back.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2021

Dimple felt herself begin to hyperventilate, so she busied herself with putting her hair up in a bun.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon