What does pant mean?
To pant is to breathe rapidly and heavily, usually because the body has been working hard, become overheated, or been affected by strong emotion. The action commonly involves an open mouth and audible breathing, as in the description of runners or animals resting after exertion. Pant can also name an individual quick or heavy breath, though this noun use is less frequent than the verb. In a separate clothing sense, 'pant' means one of the two garments that make up a pair of trousers, and the usual plural is 'pants'. This form is especially common in American English, while British speakers generally prefer 'trousers' for the complete garment. The word is useful because it captures both the physical act of labored breathing and, through its plural form, a familiar item of everyday clothing.
To breathe quickly and heavily, especially after exertion, heat, or emotional excitement.
"The horses panted after the long climb."
Commonly intransitive; it often describes audible breathing with the mouth open.
A short, rapid, or heavy breath.
"He paused to take a pant before speaking."
This sense is less common than the verb. In the clothing sense, 'pant' is usually used in the plural 'pants'.
In the clothing sense, 'pant' is generally used in the plural to refer to trousers, especially in American English.
"He folded the pants and put them in the wardrobe."
The word 'pant' has moved far beyond heavy breathing: a single pant is also one item in a pair of trousers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pant come from?
The verb comes through Old French pantiser, ultimately from Latin pantiscere, meaning 'to gasp' or 'to pant'. The modern English verb developed in the Middle English period. The separate clothing noun is a later English formation, traditionally treated as the singular of 'pants', and the plural form became established through common usage.
Related word forms
How pant is actually used
As a verb, 'pant' is usually intransitive and describes breathing that is rapid and audible. In the clothing sense, it is generally plural and belongs mainly to American English; British English more often uses 'trousers'. The noun meaning 'a quick breath' is less common than the verb.
Easily confused with pant
A pant is a quick, heavy breath, whereas pants are a pair of trousers; the singular form 'pant' is also used for one leg or one item of clothing in this clothing sense.