hiccup

noun

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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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About hiccup

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 Dobberstein heaped the praise on the lefty Doubek, whose only real hiccup was a two-run home run to left field off the bat of Grand Canyon commit JT Kelenic in the fifth inning to trim the Pirate lead to four. — Michael Whitlow, Journal Sentinel, 2 June 2022 There’s every sense the drivetrain will answer the driver’s call without hesitation or hiccup. — Karl Brauer, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Eovaldi ran into the occasional hiccup against the Orioles, a rocky start and a blast over the Green Monster. — Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2022 One minor hiccup with this product is the bottle drips a little after it's pumped, but that can be fixed by wiping the excess on your blender or brush before using it. — Madison Yauger, PEOPLE.com, 5 May 2022 The one major hiccup came with measuring the flow of heat through the planet: the lander’s heat probe couldn’t punch itself into the ground and get operational thanks to some surprisingly incorrigible soil. — Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022 This latest hiccup in Toyota’s supply chain highlights the difficult and uncharted territory car companies find themselves in as such disruptions continue to dent their outlooks and delay a full recovery in factory output. — Sean Mclain, WSJ, 18 Mar. 2022 But there was one big question mark, one hiccup that, in addition to the usual concerns about racers getting sick or hurt, kept the Utes from celebrating prematurely. — Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Mar. 2022 My routine was dialed in, but running out of coffee beans became the one recurring hiccup to my near-perfect morning. — Bon Appétit, 22 Feb. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Often when someone starts to hiccup, a debate begins among everyone nearby over which home remedy is the true cure. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 4 Feb. 2022 Would wake up in the night to use the bathroom and start to hiccup. — Korin Miller, Health.com, 13 Dec. 2021 Customers can usually tell when a brand is not being authentic due to mixed or low-value messaging, and a lack of transparency is oftentimes the first negative hiccup a customer hits with any brand. — Expert Panel, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021 Rapinoe begins hiccuping, the beginning of the end for her night. — Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, 27 Apr. 2020 Slip and slide After winning a season-high eight in a row, the Bruins had hiccupped over the last three (0-2-1) prior to Wednesday night, a dip only slightly worse than their 1-2-3 slide prior to that eight-game run. — BostonGlobe.com, 12 Dec. 2019 Charles Osborne of Anthon, Iowa, began hiccupping in 1922 while attempting to weigh a hog. — Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2019 The defense hiccupped on L.A.’s first drive, with rookie end Joey Bosa looking confused and exiting to get sideline instruction and the Rams going 56 yards on seven runs for a 7-0 lead. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2019 A few years after its discovery, this object was observed to hiccup again … and again, every few weeks or so. — Seth Shostak, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2019 See More

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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Dictionary Entries Near hiccup

hiccius doccius

hiccup

hiccup-nut

Statistics for hiccup

Last Updated

20 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Hiccup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hiccup. Accessed 30 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for hiccup

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

hiccup

intransitive verb

variants: also hiccough

hiccuped also hiccupped or hiccoughed; hiccuping also hiccupping or hiccoughing

Medical Definition of hiccup (Entry 2 of 2)

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