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

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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 Chase insisted that the error was just a coding hiccup and that the fix was manageable, but some OCC officials believed the bank still deserved punishment since so many customers were hurt. — Patrick Rucker, ProPublica, "JPMorgan Chase Bank Wrongly Charged 170,000 Customers Overdraft Fees. Federal Regulators Refused to Penalize It.," 14 Dec. 2020 However, a hiccup in the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine, which has led to fewer doses arriving this week in states across the country, has potentially delayed the state’s timeline by about a week, officials have said. — Emily Brindley, courant.com, "Daily coronavirus updates: Gov. Lamont signs off on Moderna vaccine; Doses to begin arriving in Connecticut this week," 21 Dec. 2020 McCord has successfully done all three of those things without a hiccup. — Stephen Means, cleveland, "Kyle McCord knows the competition at ‘QBU’ will be intense, but that’s why he committed to Ohio State: Buckeyes Recruiting," 15 Dec. 2020 The only hiccup was when a guard said access was only by car, not on foot. — Allen Matthews, SFChronicle.com, "Beloved Oakland cemetery, resting place of Kaiser, Ghirardelli and Mac Dre, still off-limits to visitors," 7 Dec. 2020 Reuters/ Albert Gea Even with offices around the world shut due to Covid-19, business has carried on, though not without the occasional technological hiccup. — David Yanofsky, Quartz, "CEOs and executives can’t remember to unmute either," 3 Dec. 2020 The Free Press has learned that the hiccup involves the removable tops being made for the vehicles, which are assembled at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. — Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, "Analyst: Ford Bronco supply chain problem points to removable tops," 10 July 2020 The only hiccup in delivery during election week came with a USA TODAY network package mailed in Green Bay, Wisconsin. — Matt Wynn, USA TODAY, "Election mail: We sent 193 shipments. Here's what we learned.," 21 Nov. 2020 To them, this is just the latest hiccup in the stay-at-home trade, and will fizzle like the others. — Katherine Greifeld, Bloomberg.com, "Star Managers With Lots to Lose Are Unmoved by Tech Rout," 16 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Rapinoe begins hiccuping, the beginning of the end for her night. — Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, "Power couples: Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor on Instagram Live with Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe," 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, "Bruins’ Brett Ritchie told to start faster out of the gate - The Boston Globe," 12 Dec. 2019 Charles Osborne of Anthon, Iowa, began hiccupping in 1922 while attempting to weigh a hog. — Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, "Sunday Bulletin Board: “… and that’s when I swear I saw Elvis walk across my living room in blue suede shoes.”," 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, "Column: The Niners are back: Still unbeaten after D dominates Rams," 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, "Fast radio bursts from space have baffled scientists for years. But an explanation may come soon.," 3 Sep. 2019 Tifany, ran up to her mother and began to hiccup as her eyes overflowed with tears. — Alice Driver, Longreads, "Oh, Girl!," 20 June 2019 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

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

15 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Hiccup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hiccup. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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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

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

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