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

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

In 2024, whooping cough cases increased by six times compared to 2023, and cases in 2025 remained elevated, according to data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Infectious diseases including mumps, whooping cough, and scrofula (a neck swelling, often caused by tuberculosis) are more frequently associated with supernatural cures. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025

In 2024, San Diego County reported 547 cases of pertussis (whooping cough), a sharp increase from 332 the previous year. —Inna Fishman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 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