A gasp is a short quick breath of air that you take in through your mouth, especially when you are surprised, shocked, or in pain. An audible gasp went round the court as the jury announced the verdict She gave a small gasp of pain
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open; "she gave a gasp and fainted
The act of opening the mouth convulsively to catch the breath; a labored respiration; a painful catching of the breath
When you gasp, you take a short quick breath through your mouth, especially when you are surprised, shocked, or in pain. She gasped for air and drew in a lungful of water I heard myself gasp and cry out
emphasis You describe something as the last gasp to emphasize that it is the final part of something or happens at the last possible moment. the last gasp of a dying system of censorship