whooping cough

[ hoo-ping, hoop-ing ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an infectious disease of the respiratory mucous membrane, caused by Bordetella pertussis, characterized by a series of short, convulsive coughs followed by a deep inspiration accompanied by a whooping sound.

whooping cough

/ ˈhuːpɪŋ /

noun

1. an acute infectious disease characterized by coughing spasms that end with a shrill crowing sound on inspiration: caused by infection with the bacillus Bordetella pertussis Technical namepertussis

whooping cough

/ ho̅o̅′pĭng,hp′ĭng,wo̅o̅′pĭng,wp′ĭng /

1. An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordatella pertussis, seen most commonly in children and characterized by coughing spasms often ending in loud gasps. Vaccinations usually given during infancy confer immunity to the disease.
2. Also called pertussis

whooping cough

1. An acute and infectious disease occurring mainly in children and characterized by violent coughing. Caused by a kind of bacteria , whooping cough has largely been eradicated in the United States through a program of vaccination , which is begun when infants are just three months old.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whooping cough¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

A widespread failure to vaccinate children was previously linked to a 2010 whooping cough outbreak in California which resulted in more than 9,000 illnesses and the death of 10 infants.

From Salon

Children can also be protected against other serious diseases, such as whooping cough, meningitis, diptheria and polio.

From BBC

It’s been five years since the last major outbreak of whooping cough in California, but the disease is on the rise.

From Los Angeles Times

A leading vaccine expert says he is "very worried" by the large increase in whooping cough cases which have led to the deaths of five babies in England this year.

From BBC

Five babies have died from whooping cough as cases continue to rise in England, health officials have announced.

From BBC