whoop

verb

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\ ˈhüp

, ˈhu̇p

, ˈ(h)wüp

, ˈ(h)wu̇p

whooped; whooping; whoops

Definition of whoop

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to utter a whoop in expression of eagerness, enthusiasm, or enjoyment : shout

2 : to utter the cry or call of an animal (such as an owl or gibbon)

3 : to make the characteristic whoop of whooping cough

4a : to go or pass with a loud noise

b : to be rushed through by acclamation or with noisy support the bill whooped through both houses

transitive verb

1a : to utter or express with a whoop

b : to urge, drive, or cheer on with a whoop

2 : to agitate in behalf of

3 : raise, boost whoop up the price

whoop it up

1 : to celebrate riotously : carouse

2 : to stir up enthusiasm

whoop

noun

Definition of whoop (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a loud yell expressive of eagerness, exuberance, or jubilation —often used interjectionally

b : a shout of hunters or of people in battle or pursuit

2 : the loud cry or call of an animal (such as an owl, whooping crane, or gibbon) that resembles the sound of the word whoop

3 : the crowing intake of breath following a paroxysm in whooping cough

4 : a minimum amount or degree : the least bit not worth a whoop

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about whoop

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Examples of whoop in a Sentence

Verb The children whooped with joy at the sight of all the presents. Noun let out a whoop of joy he acts so rudely that I doubt he gives a whoop about other people's feelings

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Every night at seven o’clock, residents around the city are taking to their rooftops and hanging out their windows to clang pot lids and whoop their thanks to those who are unable to stay inside. — Rachel Riederer, The New Yorker, "Inside New York City’s Food-Supply Chain During the Coronavirus Pandemic," 30 Apr. 2020 The excitement was palpable at the inauguration in Faneuil Hall, where supporters whooped and cheered and offered a standing ovation for Mejia when Mayor Martin J. Walsh spoke of her election’s significance. — Stephanie Ebbert, BostonGlobe.com, "A wave of diversity changes the look of local councils," 7 Jan. 2020 Families hike through wooded hills, then whoop it up at the lodge’s indoor waterpark. — Sarah Feldberg, Travel + Leisure, "The Best Place to Camp in Each of the 50 States," 24 Feb. 2017 In France, console sales spiked by a whooping 140.6% during the first week of lockdown. — Amrita Khalid, Quartz, "How the Covid-19 pandemic caused a global Nintendo Switch shortage," 2 Apr. 2020 At each prize, the crowd whooped and cheered, often rising to its feet. — New York Times, "The Best and Worst Moments of the 2020 Oscars," 10 Feb. 2020 Following the win, the 22 good-luck charms, wearing their sons’ jerseys, formed a tunnel in the hallway outside the Bruins’ dressing room and whooped and hollered as their boys headed to the bus. — Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, "Bruins make their moms happy with big win over Predators," 8 Jan. 2020 Spectators at the scene whooped and cheered, and a group of women broke into song, said Gordon Peake of the Australian National University, who attended the announcement. — Jessie Yeung And Angus Watson, CNN, "Bougainville independence vote delivers emphatic demand to become world's newest nation," 11 Dec. 2019 The baby was sleeping in a plastic case, on her side, wrapped in a blanket, machines bleeping and whooping around her—breathing on her own, with the monitors above her. — Matthew Klam, The New Yorker, "The Liver," 9 Mar. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Eventually, one opened the window and bellowed out an encouraging whoop. — Los Angeles Times, "Protests rage in Bay Area and Sacramento, with less tolerance of thieves and vandals," 2 June 2020 But over the weekend, it was drowned out by the long-absent whoops, laughter and tantrums of the Spanish capital’s children. — NBC News, "Children allowed to go outside as Spain cautiously looks beyond lockdown," 27 Apr. 2020 Sinking into the Japanese hot spring, I’m tempted to issue a whoop similar to the ones inspired by the day’s skiing. — Dina Mishev, Washington Post, "For skiers on this Japanese island, a perfect pairing of hot and cold," 1 Nov. 2019 With whoops and claps, the rapper engaged the crowd and displayed the poise of someone who, at just 20 years old, has spent years making the stage his home. — Kat Moon, Time, "Meet SuperM, the K-Pop Supergroup That Skyrocketed to the Top of the Billboard Charts," 28 Jan. 2020 Third-stringers play a feel-good fourth quarter in which special-needs student Coleman Syme banks in a free throw, his first varsity point, all while the starters and second-stringers whoop and holler on the bench. — Erik Brady, USA TODAY, "How yoga benefits one high school boys basketball team," 18 Feb. 2020 The double-chute tower, which began offering rides in 2017, invites children and adults to grab hold of mats, rocket around corkscrew turns and whoop 93 feet down. — New York Times, "Dying Malls? This One Has Found a Way to Thrive," 14 Jan. 2020 The big battles end with infectious whoops and fist-pumps and back-slaps, our heroes throwing themselves on top of one another and crying. — Nick Romano, EW.com, "The Rise of Skywalker reviews point to more Star Wars discourse," 18 Dec. 2019 Williams let out a whoop after the pick and fired the ball high into the air. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com, "Greedy Williams opened Browns camp on the 2nd team but started talking with his hands," 27 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whoop.' 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

6 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Whoop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whoop. Accessed 4 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for whoop

whoop

verb

English Language Learners Definition of whoop

(Entry 1 of 2)

informal : to shout loudly in an enthusiastic or excited way

whoop

noun

English Language Learners Definition of whoop (Entry 2 of 2)

: a high, loud sound expressing enthusiasm or excitement

See the full definition for whoop in the English Language Learners Dictionary

whoop

verb

\ ˈhüp

, ˈhu̇p \

whooped; whooping

Kids Definition of whoop

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to shout or cheer loudly and strongly “It's the men from camp,” the judge said. “They're searching for us.” We started whooping.— Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows

2 : to make the high-pitched gasping sound that follows a coughing attack in whooping cough

whoop

noun

Kids Definition of whoop (Entry 2 of 2)

: a loud strong shout or cheer

whoop

intransitive verb

\ ˈhüp

, ˈhu̇p