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

The undefeated record means the three occasions where Diaz has had a hiccup and lost a lead late and blown a save, his teammates bailed him out and won the game. — Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "Even with a nine-day break between saves, Edwin Diaz is still on pace for more than 50 saves and new haircut for Mariners manager Scott Servais," 26 June 2018 There’s a lot of ways the ball can have a little hiccup here or there [that creates] just slightly different timing. — Diane Snyder, Billboard, "How 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Sounds Come to Life," 8 June 2018 While their first child taught Mathis what childbirth is like, Sunday saw a few hiccups. — Katherine Fitzgerald, azcentral, "Arizona Diamondbacks notes: Steven Souza Jr. begins throwing program," 13 June 2018 The anti-Chinese law was not a political hiccup for the United States, but a harbinger of things to come. — Brenda Medina And Glenn Garvin, miamiherald, "Trump dialed it up to 10, but his predecessors often treated migrants with disdain," 2 July 2018 Save for the third inning hiccup, Burlington pitcher Josie Klein kept Sun Prairie at bay, allowing four hits and a run in the sixth over the other five frames. — Curt Hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Six-run third inning lifts Sun Prairie over Burlington for Division 1 softball title," 9 June 2018 But aside from that small hiccup, this was a pretty promising reveal. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "Destiny 2's Forsaken reveal: This huge expansion could fix everything that needs fixing," 5 June 2018 Or is this merely a market hiccup, akin to the temporary setback that hit emerging markets in 2013? — New York Times, "Emerging Markets Are Worrying Investors, Again," 23 May 2018 The operators are calm and hyper-focused despite the unexpected hiccup, both hands typing, eyes darting at one another’s screens. — Shannon Stirone, Longreads, "Welcome to the Center of the Universe," 15 Mar. 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

18 Sep 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