whooping cough

noun

whoop·​ing cough ˈhü-piŋ- 

ˈhu̇-

: an infectious respiratory disease especially of children caused by a bacterium (Bordetella pertussis) and marked by a convulsive spasmodic cough sometimes followed by a crowing intake of breath

called also pertussis

Examples of whooping cough in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cases of whooping cough, polio, smallpox, rubella and diphtheria fell by 99-100% after vaccinations for each became standard. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Health experts say the rising number of measles and whooping cough cases are just the start of the changing public health landscape resulting from the White House’s new stance on kids getting shots. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Because of safe, effective immunizations, most Americans do not remember vaccine preventable deaths and have never known anyone disabled from illnesses like smallpox, measles, rubella, whooping cough, or polio. — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026

Students in seventh through 12th grades must have at least one dose of a whooping cough vaccine given after their seventh birthday. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for whooping cough

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

Kids Definition

whooping cough

noun

: a disease especially of children that is caused by a bacterium and is marked by severe attacks of coughing often followed by a high-pitched gasping intake of breath

called also pertussis

Medical Definition

whooping cough

noun

: an infectious disease especially of children caused by a bacterium of the genus Bordetella (B. pertussis) and marked by a convulsive spasmodic cough sometimes followed by a crowing intake of breath

called also pertussis