croup

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkrüp 

: the rump of a quadruped

croup

2 of 3

noun (2)

: inflammation, edema, and subsequent obstruction of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi especially of infants and young children that is typically caused by a parainfluenza virus and is marked by episodes of difficult breathing and low-pitched cough resembling the bark of a seal

croupy

ˈkrü-pē 

adjective

croupy

3 of 3

adjective

ˈkrü-pē 

-er/-est

: of, arising from, like, or indicating croup

a croupy cough

Examples of croup in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In January 1857, Brooks died suddenly of croup. — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

In court, Ghoreishi later denied Laila was held but said the medicine was for croup, a respiratory infection. — Eileen Finan, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026

Complications from measles include ear infections, hearing loss, pneumonia, croup, diarrhea, blindness, and swelling of the brain, the CDC said. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Possible complications can include croup, pneumonia, asthma attacks, middle ear infections, bronchiolitis and fever, the CDC said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Sarah learned that Ellie’s cough was called croup and was due to swelling around her vocal cords, which can happen with viral infections. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026

Many shared their experiences with a case of croup in their households. — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Those who have smaller airways, like my son, may persist with croup for longer. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025

One of those sons, 5-year-old DeForest Jr., died of croup three years later. — Howard Dorre, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English croupe, croup, borrowed from Anglo-French croupe (also continental Old French), probably going back to an Old Low Franconian outcome of Germanic *kruppa- "something rounded, bulge" — more at crop entry 1

Note: This etymology is traditional, and phonetically impeccable, though "hindquarters of an animal" is not among the many meanings attested in Germanic for this etymon. Compare group entry 1. See also croupier, crupper.

Noun (2)

noun derivative of croup "to cry hoarsely, croak" (now English regional and Scots), probably of imitative origin

Note: Compare synonymous 16th-century crope, croape, and crow entry 2, croak entry 1.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1765, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for croup

• coop
• coupe
• droop
• drupe
• dupe
• group
• hoop
• loop
• lupe
• oop
• poop
• roop

Kids Definition

croup

1 of 2 noun

ˈkrüp 

: the rump of a four-footed animal

croup

2 of 2 noun

: a laryngitis especially of infants marked by periods of difficult breathing and a hoarse cough

croupy

ˈkrü-pē 

adjective

Etymology

Noun

Middle English croupe "rump," from early French croupe (same meaning), of Germanic origin

Noun

from an English dialect word croup "to cry or cough"; probably originally imitating the sound

Medical Definition

croup

noun

ˈkrüp 

: inflammation, edema, and subsequent obstruction of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi especially of infants and young children that is typically caused by a parainfluenza virus and is marked by episodes of difficult breathing and low-pitched cough resembling the bark of a seal

croupous

ˈkrü-pəs 

adjective

croupy

-pē 

adjective

croupier; croupiest