: 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
Examples of croup in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Howard Dorre, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Yellow and orange foods, like carrots, tomatoes, winter squash and sweet potatoes — along with allium, citrus and berry croups — landed in the bottom half.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024
The doctor's initial assessment was that Reese might have the croup (larynx and trachea inflammation).
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 26 July 2024
Some babies get a barking cough that resembles croup.
—Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024
Everything from respiratory viruses like a cold, flu, or croup to bacterial infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia can trigger coughing in babies.
—Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024
In some cases, parainfluenza can cause more severe diseases, including croup, bronchitis and pneumonia.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
What's more, children's hospitals have also been inundated with kids sick with other respiratory viruses, such as severe colds, croup and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2021
In addition, doctors have noticed another symptom in young kids: a barking cough that resembles croup.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 29 Sep. 2023
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Noun
One of those sons, 5-year-old DeForest Jr., died of croup three years later.
—Howard Dorre, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Yellow and orange foods, like carrots, tomatoes, winter squash and sweet potatoes — along with allium, citrus and berry croups — landed in the bottom half.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024
The doctor's initial assessment was that Reese might have the croup (larynx and trachea inflammation).
—Mia Taylor, Parents, 26 July 2024
Some babies get a barking cough that resembles croup.
—Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024
Everything from respiratory viruses like a cold, flu, or croup to bacterial infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia can trigger coughing in babies.
—Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024
In some cases, parainfluenza can cause more severe diseases, including croup, bronchitis and pneumonia.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
What's more, children's hospitals have also been inundated with kids sick with other respiratory viruses, such as severe colds, croup and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
—NBC News, 5 Aug. 2021
In addition, doctors have noticed another symptom in young kids: a barking cough that resembles croup.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 29 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Croup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/croup. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
croup
1 of 2 noun
: 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
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
: 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
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