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

More than a third of whooping cough cases have been in older kids. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025

Experts Weigh In Other Illnesses to Have on Your Radar Experts say whooping cough, walking pneumonia, and even bird flu deserve some extra attention this season. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 14 Jan. 2025

Vaccines can prevent certain diseases, such as tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, and help reduce the severity of others, like influenza (the flu) or COVID-19. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2025

Perhaps most striking were the states that had the fewest cases of whooping cough last year. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

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