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

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

Efforts to stream games in the past failed in part because of such hiccups, known as latency. — Sarah E. Needleman, WSJ, "The Tricky—but Potentially Lucrative—Task of Streaming Videogames," 8 Nov. 2018 The ugly Technical hiccups, including a full crash mid-boss fight. — Sarah Leboeuf, Ars Technica, "LEGO DC Super-Villains," 22 Oct. 2018 There was one slight hiccup, however: The mission team lost telemetry about 40 minutes into flight, right around the time when the Parker Solar Probe was scheduled to separate from its rocket ride and start flying solo. — Mike Wall, Space.com, "A Fireball and a Wall of Sound: What NASA's Epic Solar Probe Launch Felt Like," 14 Aug. 2018 Other than a few, understandable hiccups (like maybe getting political in Ireland) she's dealt with her royal engagements like an actual boss. — Ruby Buddemeyer, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Finds Royal Protocol "Difficult to Understand," According to Reports," 18 July 2018 There's one potential hiccup: The Blazers are scheduled to play at the L.A. Clippers on Sunday in the second game of a home-road back-to-back. — Joe Freeman, OregonLive.com, "Portland Trail Blazers notes: Damian Lillard awaiting birth of son, Al-Farouq Aminu's slump, new-look Cavaliers," 14 Nov. 2017 The only notable hiccup for Washington’s defensemen led to Vegas’ first goal. — Adam Candee, Detroit Free Press, "2018 NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Golden Knights-Capitals Game 2 observations," 30 May 2018 Neither has Ross, aside from the hard-biting slider that remained an elite weapon until a two-start hiccup dulled some of the shine of his return to San Diego. — Jeff Sanders, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres' Tyson Ross looking to get back on track vs. Dodgers," 12 July 2018 Despite the hiccups, Xiaomi’s IPO is a milestone for a company that looked like an also-ran less than two years ago, following buggy product releases that cost it market share to homegrown rivals such as Oppo and Vivo. — Joanne Chiu, WSJ, "Chinese Smartphone Maker Xiaomi Falls in Hong Kong Trading Debut," 9 July 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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Last Updated

13 Nov 2018

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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

hiccups : a condition in which you make hiccups repeatedly

: 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