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

Last weekend, Portland State University canceled a football game following a surge in whooping cough cases among players. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2024

In terms of prevention, the best way to avoid contracting whooping cough, or pertussis, is to get vaccinated. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2024

Globally, the number of people dying each year from whooping cough was in the hundreds of thousands throughout the last century. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Lingering vaccine hesitancy from the pandemic is evident in pediatricians' offices as more parents opt out of the shots for measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough, among others, using non-medical religious exemptions. —April Rubin, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024

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