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

The order also doesn’t mention other childhood vaccines that schools across the country require, like diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2025

Kennedy's questions about this fact may lead more people to refuse vaccinations, making outbreaks more likely and increasing disability and deaths from measles, whooping cough, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, Dr. Morse says. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Feb. 2025

For most healthy adults, the whooping cough is an annoying illness. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025

More:Cases of whooping cough remain elevated in Wisconsin. —Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for whooping cough

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

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