hiccup

noun

hic·cup | \ ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp

variants: or less commonly hiccough

Definition of hiccup

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound

2 : an attack of hiccuping —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

3a : a slight irregularity, error, or malfunction a few hiccups in the computer system

b : a usually minor and short-lived interruption or disruption, or change a hiccup in the stock market

hiccup

verb

variants: or less commonly hiccough

hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping

Definition of hiccup (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to make a hiccup also : to be affected with hiccups

Other Words from hiccup Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hiccup

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Examples of hiccup in a Sentence

Noun

Our computer problems were caused by a hiccup in the power supply. The stock market has continued to rise, except for a slight hiccup earlier this month.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But the fleet proved to be somewhat of a nightmare, with hard-to-find and overpriced replacement parts and hiccups with the overhead wire system. — Heidi Groover, The Seattle Times, "Buses no longer using Seattle’s transit tunnel; Monday commutes test new routes," 25 Mar. 2019 There were hiccups, but the response — including this take from the executive director of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe — really put Facebook in no-good-deed-goes-unpunished territory. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "22 predictions for social media in 2019," 15 Dec. 2018 But that is likely to be only a temporary hiccup for the two Wall Street titans. — Emily Flitter, New York Times, "Bank ‘Stress Tests’ Results Clear Way for Wall Street to Reward Investors," 28 June 2018 There was, however, a hiccup on this passage to the blockchain’s emancipation of the world spirit. — Gideon Lewis-kraus, WIRED, "The Blockchain: A Love Story—And a Horror Story," 18 June 2018 Renewed jitters over slowing global growth and investors’ impatience on a U.S.-China trade pact sent U.S. stocks to their worst day in nearly a month, the latest hiccup during a big rally fueled by the Federal Reserve this year. — Jessica Menton, WSJ, "Stocks Close Lower as Investors Pause on Trade Developments," 4 Mar. 2019 Verizon also sent out two sites, and plans to have engineers at the event to help with any hiccups. — Ally Marotti, chicagotribune.com, "Pokemon Go Fest is back and ready for the crowds after disappointing thousands last year," 12 July 2018 The hiccups may have been symptomatic of growing pains: Kimpton has launched upward of eight properties a year since International Hotels Group acquired the brand in 2015. — New York Times, "At a Denver Hotel, Art, Yoga Mats and Loaner Bikes," 7 Apr. 2018 A week later, after a midweek hiccup vs. Philadelphia? — Avi Creditor, SI.com, "The MLS XI, Week 14: Don't Hold Your Breath for an MLS Cup Threematch," 4 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

San Diego County’s economy hiccuped in April after 18 months of growth, said a study from the University of San Diego released Thursday. — Phillip Molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Report: San Diego economy slowed in April after 18 months of growth," 1 June 2018 Even a good smartphone with a strong network can stream movie and TV series and never hiccup. — Kim Komando, Fox News, "Amazon porch pirates, Facebook defenses, expediting videos and more: Tech Q&A," 26 May 2018 This is all presuming Google will work out any performance hiccups the app may be having at launch on iOS. — Jeff Dunn, Ars Technica, "The revamped Google News app is now available on iPhones and iPads," 16 May 2018 The offense hiccupped behind a very young cast, but that was to be expected. — Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, "College football's last-placed teams headed for better things in 2018 season," 3 Apr. 2018 Markowitz said the project is going smoothly, but probably won't be hiccup free. — Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, "See inside the planned New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute on Howard Avenue," 7 Feb. 2018 But even before his injury, this offense was hiccupping. — Andy Benoit, SI.com, "What Oakland’s Offense Is Missing," 16 Oct. 2017 Cyndi Lauper, joyously hiccuping her way through her feminist anthem (Girls Just Want to Have Fun). — Usa Today Life Staff, USA TODAY, "The world is crazy. Here's a little entertainment to help you cope," 10 Oct. 2017 Jones had a twang in his voice, hiccupping with abandon whenever the tempo quickened, but Williams was smooth, never rushing a song and never raising his voice. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Billboard, "Heartbeat in the Darkness: R.I.P. Don Williams, Whose Understated Strength Made His Music Perfect to Grow Old With," 9 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hiccup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Statistics for hiccup

Last Updated

15 May 2019

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Time Traveler for hiccup

The first known use of hiccup was circa 1580

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More Definitions for hiccup

hiccup

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hiccup

: a sound in your throat that is caused by a sudden, uncontrolled movement of muscles in your chest after you have eaten or drunk too much or too quickly

: a condition in which you make hiccups repeatedly

informal : a small problem, change, or delay

See the full definition for hiccup in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hiccup

noun

hic·cup | \ ˈhi-ˌkəp

Kids Definition of hiccup

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a gulping sound caused by sudden movements of muscles active in breathing

hiccup

verb

hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping

Kids Definition of hiccup (Entry 2 of 2)

: to make a gulping sound caused by sudden movements of muscles active in breathing

hiccup

noun

hic·cup

variants: also hiccough \ ˈhik-(ˌ)əp

Medical Definition of hiccup

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound

2 : an attack of hiccuping —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction severe hiccups is sometimes seen after operation — Lancet intractable hiccup…may be successfully treated — Journal of the American Medical Association