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 increased sixfold between 2023 and 2024, above pre-pandemic highs. —Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025

Nashville doctors are growing increasingly concerned as pertussis, or whooping cough, surges nationwide, with recent infant deaths in Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana. —Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Dec. 2025

Edwards and colleagues published research earlier this month in JAMA Network Open that examined the global rise of whooping cough infections. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025

That includes public doubts about an early childhood vaccine that can prevent pertussis, or whooping cough. —Jim Morrill, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025

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