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

Only 81% of young children received the shots that protect against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. —Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

However, a report published at the end of 2024 found that the rise in cases may stem from misinformation and lack of information about the whooping cough vaccine, including many parents who may not know pertussis and whooping cough are the same thing. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025

Today, whooping cough mainly affects children too young for the vaccine, and cases are skyrocketing. —Kathryn Alcaide, People.com, 7 May 2025

Florida also has at least 468 cases of whooping cough in 2025. —Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 6 May 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