whooping cough

noun

whoop·​ing cough ˈhü-piŋ- 

ˈhu̇-

: an infectious respiratory disease especially of children caused by a bacterium (Bordetella pertussis) and marked by a convulsive spasmodic cough sometimes followed by a crowing intake of breath

called also pertussis

Examples of whooping cough in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At least 364 pertussis infections were reported to health authorities last week, according to figures published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marking the worst Thanksgiving week for whooping cough in recent decades. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2024

The surge in reported pertussis (or whooping cough) cases to 1,112 in 2024 stems in part from decreasing childhood vaccination rates, the Detroit News reports. —Joe Guillen, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness that can last weeks or even months. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 16 Nov. 2024

One theory for the spike is that cases fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, as mask-wearing, social distancing and other infection protocols helped to protect against whooping cough. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

whooping cough

noun

: a disease especially of children that is caused by a bacterium and is marked by severe attacks of coughing often followed by a high-pitched gasping intake of breath

called also pertussis

Medical Definition

whooping cough

noun

: an infectious disease especially of children caused by a bacterium of the genus Bordetella (B. pertussis) and marked by a convulsive spasmodic cough sometimes followed by a crowing intake of breath

called also pertussis