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

Parents refusing to vaccinate their children has also increased cases of diseases like measles and whooping cough. —Devika Rao, TheWeek, 22 Apr. 2026

Just like measles and whooping cough, infectious diseases that are also on the rise, rotavirus can be prevented with a safe and highly effective vaccine. —Annette Regan, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026

Other infectious diseases, including whooping cough and mumps, have also surged as vaccination rates have dropped. —Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026

Some examples of subunit vaccines include those that protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumococcal infections, whooping cough, hepatitis B, tetanus and human papillomavirus (HPV). —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 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