whooping cough

whoop·ing cough | \ ˈhü-piŋ-

, ˈhu̇- \

Definition of whooping cough

: 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 The same collection kit is used for the scores of pathogens — influenza, gonorrhea, whooping cough — that need identification for treatment. — Los Angeles Times, "Here’s what coronavirus testing for a very sick patient looks like, from swab to result," 1 Apr. 2020 California requires schoolchildren to be inoculated against infectious diseases, including measles, mumps, chicken pox, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and rubella. — Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Disciplinary charges filed against Santa Rosa doctor who exempted kids from vaccines," 31 Jan. 2020 The first case of a student contracting whooping cough was announced to parents through a Nov. 20 letter from the school, while the second student case was announced Nov. 26. — Steve Schering, chicagotribune.com, "Oak Park-River Forest High School announces fourth case of whooping cough in less than a month," 3 Dec. 2019 The first case of a student contracting whooping cough was announced to parents through a Nov. 20 letter from the school. — Steve Schering, chicagotribune.com, "OPRF High School officials: Two students, one adult diagnosed with whooping cough in past two weeks," 27 Nov. 2019 By 1820, the population had been reduced by more than half, and by 1876, epidemics of measles, whooping cough and the flu had taken another third, among them elders who were repositories of agricultural knowledge. — Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, "On Hawaii, the Fight for Taro’s Revival," 8 Nov. 2019 But to keep polio, measles, whooping cough and other illnesses at bay, public officials say that a high percentage of the population must be vaccinated. — Los Angeles Times, "Dr. Bob Sears’ views on vaccines have inspired loyal followers — and a crush of criticism," 3 Sep. 2019 Related Stories California requires children attending public schools, including charter schools, to be inoculated against infectious diseases including measles, mumps, chicken pox, tetanus, whooping cough and rubella. — Dustin Gardiner, SFChronicle.com, "California lawmakers advance vaccine exemption crackdown toward passage," 21 June 2019 The firm also sold 252,600 doses of ineffective DPT vaccines to inoculate children against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus. — Fox News, "China says vaccine maker Changsheng broke manufacturing rules, faked records: Xinhua," 27 July 2018

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

5 Apr 2020

Cite this Entry

“Whooping cough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whooping%20cough. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.

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More Definitions for whooping cough

whooping cough

noun

English Language Learners Definition of whooping cough

medical : a disease that usually affects children and that causes severe coughing and difficult breathing

See the full definition for whooping cough in the English Language Learners Dictionary

whooping cough

noun

Kids Definition of whooping cough

: a bacterial disease especially of children in which severe attacks of coughing are often followed by a high-pitched gasping intake of breath

whooping cough

noun

Medical Definition of whooping cough

: 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

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