whooping cough

noun

whoop·​ing cough ˈhü-piŋ- How to pronounce whooping cough (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year, whooping cough cases are skyrocketing in the United States. Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 22 May 2025 California whooping cough cases more than quadrupled last year — from 644 in 2023 to 2,753 in 2024, according to the state health department. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 About one in three babies with whooping cough are hospitalized. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025 The vaccine for tetanus is included in a combination vaccine that also protects against diphtheria and pertussis (more commonly known as whooping cough). Melissa Dahl, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whooping cough

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whooping cough was in 1665

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Cite this Entry

“Whooping cough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whooping%20cough. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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

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