pertussis

noun

per·​tus·​sis pər-ˈtə-səs How to pronounce pertussis (audio)

Examples of pertussis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The unexpected trade off was lives saved from COVID in the short term versus future lives potentially lost to measles, pertussis, polio, RSV, influenza and other preventable diseases. Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026 State law still would require vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026 Keeping Cough Keeping Cough is a pertussis infection caused by holding in a productive cough owing to the fear of being perceived as having some form of coronavirus. Alexis Wilkinson, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 The danger with pertussis is the cough that can linger for weeks to months and difficulty breathing. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pertussis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin per- thoroughly + tussis cough

First Known Use

circa 1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pertussis was circa 1772

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pertussis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pertussis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

pertussis

noun
per·​tus·​sis pər-ˈtəs-əs How to pronounce pertussis (audio)

Medical Definition

pertussis

noun
per·​tus·​sis pər-ˈtəs-əs How to pronounce pertussis (audio)

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