pant, verb, /pænt/
1
to breathe quickly with short noisy breaths, for example because you have been running or because it is very hot.
to breathe hard and quickly.
He came in panting after running up the steps.
He was panting for breath.
The dog lay panting on the doorstep.
Dogs pant when they are hot.
The hikers were panting by the time they reached the top of the hill.
They panted up the hill. [=they were panting as they went up the hill]
The patient was panting for breath. [=breathing heavily]
The engine was panting noisily as it stood on the tracks.
The car panted up the hill.
2
to say something while you are panting.
to say (something) while you are breathing quickly and heavily.
‘I can’t run any farther,’ she panted.
“I’ve run far enough,” he panted. [=gasped]
3 pant for something
to want something very much.
to wish for or want something very eagerly.
He came in panting for a cup of tea.
Fans are panting for the writer’s next book.
We knew she was panting after the starring role in the play. [=she wanted the starring role very much]
The crowd was panting to hear the outcome.
