cough

play

verb \ˈkȯf\

Definition of cough

intransitive verb
1 : to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a sharp, short noise : to emit a cough (see ²cough 1) The dust made him cough repeatedly.
2 : to make a noise like that of coughing The engine coughed and sputtered and then stopped.
transitive verb
: to expel by coughing —often used with up cough up mucus

See cough defined for English-language learners

See cough defined for kids

Examples of cough in a sentence

She was coughing and sneezing all day.
The dust made him cough.
The engine coughed and sputtered and then stopped.

Origin and Etymology of cough

Middle English, from Old English *cohhian; akin to Middle High German kūchen to breathe heavily

First Known Use: 14th century

cough

noun

Definition of cough

1 : a sudden, sharp-sounding expulsion of air from the lungs acting as a protective mechanism to clear the air passages or as a symptom of pulmonary disturbance
2 : a condition marked by repeated or frequent coughing She has a bad cough.

See cough defined for English-language learners

Examples of cough in a sentence

He has a cough and a cold.
They both have bad coughs.
I heard a cough from the back of the church.

Origin and Etymology of cough

see ¹cough

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

COUGH Defined for English Language Learners

cough

play

verb \ˈkȯf\

Definition of cough for English Language Learners

: to force air through your throat with a short, loud noise often because you are sick
: to make a noise like that of coughing

cough

noun

Definition of cough for English Language Learners

: a physical condition or illness that causes someone to cough
: an act of coughing or the sound made when someone coughs

COUGH Defined for Kids

cough

play

verb \ˈkȯf\

Definition of cough for Students

coughed

;

coughing

1 : to force air from the lungs suddenly with a sharp short noise or series of noises
2 : to get rid of by coughing cough up mucus

cough

play

noun

Definition of cough for Students

1 : a condition in which there is severe or frequent coughing She has a bad cough.
2 : an act or sound of coughing a dry cough

Medical Dictionary

cough

play

verb \ˈkȯf\

Medical Definition of cough

: to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a sharp, short noise usually in a series of efforts
transitive verb

: to expel by coughing—often used with up cough up mucus

cough

noun

Medical Definition of cough

1: a condition marked by repeated, frequent coughing he has a bad cough
2: a sudden, sharp-sounding expulsion of air from the lungs acting as a protective mechanism to clear the air passages or as a symptom of pulmonary disturbance