cough

[ kawf, kof ]

verb (used without object)

1. to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh noise, often involuntarily.
2. (of an internal-combustion engine) to make a similar noise as a result of the failure of one or more cylinders to fire in sequence.
3. to make a similar sound, as a machine gun firing in spurts.

verb (used with object)

1. to expel by coughing (usually followed by up or out ):

   to cough up phlegm.

noun

1. the act or sound of coughing.
2. an illness characterized by frequent coughing.
3. a sound similar to a cough, a machine gun, or an engine firing improperly.

verb phrase

1. Slang.
   1. to relinquish, especially reluctantly; contribute; give.
   2. to blurt out; state, as by way of making a confession:

      After several hours of vigorous questioning by the police, he finally coughed up the information.

cough

/ kɒf /

verb

1. intr to expel air or solid matter from the lungs abruptly and explosively through the partially closed vocal chords
2. intr to make a sound similar to this
3. tr to utter or express with a cough or coughs
4. slang.
   intr to confess to a crime

noun

1. an act, instance, or sound of coughing
2. a condition of the lungs or throat that causes frequent coughing

cough

/ kôf,kŏf /

1. The act of expelling air from the lungs suddenly and noisily, often to keep the respiratory passages free of irritating material.

Derived Forms

• ˈcougher, noun

Other Words From

• cougher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cough¹

1275–1325; Middle English coghen, apparently < Old English *cohhian (compare its derivative cohhettan to cough); akin to Dutch kuchen to cough, German keuchen to wheeze

Word History and Origins

Origin of cough¹

Old English cohhetten; related to Middle Dutch kochen, Middle High German kūchen to wheeze; probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Coronaviruses like SARS and MERS tend to infect deep in the lungs, so the new coronavirus is probably spread mainly by people with symptoms, such as a cough, or during such medical procedures as being intubated.

From Science News

Wearing any face covering, including bandanas or neck warmers, could at least partially block the cloud of droplets released in a cough, the experiment showed.

From Science News

Two days before the ceremony the bride’s 58-year-old father, who had traveled from Spain, felt feverish and developed a runny nose and cough.

From Science News

Michalak says that previous audiological research has revealed differences between sick and healthy coughs, but the human ear may not be able to distinguish them.

From Science News

Indirect contact might occur when an infected person uses their hand to cover a cough or a sneeze, then touches an object.

From Science News For Students

Some cough up preposterous jury awards, while others lay bare the egregious failures of the criminal justice system.

From The Daily Beast

Will went on to say doctors believe a “sneeze or some cough” can spread Ebola.

From The Daily Beast

It can spread through a sneeze, cough, sharing a beverage or speaking up close with someone who has the disease.

From The Daily Beast

Brosseau said her views had nothing to do with Ebola spreading among the public at large through a sneeze or cough.

From The Daily Beast

Get a flu shot, wash your hands, and cover your mouth when you cough.

From The Daily Beast

When the quantity is very small there may be no cough, the sputum reaching the larynx by action of the bronchial cilia.

From Project Gutenberg

It is certain that I then had a bad cough nearly always; and this I am sure was what decided the form of his parting gift to me.

From Project Gutenberg

They then cough it up and use this material they have so oddly prepared in making their nests.

From Project Gutenberg

If, now, the patient cough or strain as if at stool, the contents of the stomach will usually be forced out through the tube.

From Project Gutenberg

When I shifted my position, he turned the other way quick, and coughed–that pore little gone-in cough of hisn.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bark
• choke
• hack
• vomit
• whoop