stridor

[ strahy-der ]

noun

1. a harsh, grating, or creaking sound.
2. Pathology. a harsh respiratory sound due to any of various forms of obstruction of the breathing passages.

stridor

/ ˈstraɪdɔː /

noun

1. pathol a high-pitched whistling sound made during respiration, caused by obstruction of the air passages
2. literary.
   a harsh or shrill sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of stridor¹

1625–35; < Latin strīdor, equivalent to strīd ( ēre ) ( strident ) + -or -or ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stridor¹

C17: from Latin; see strident

Example Sentences

This woman’s breath was noisiest when she inhaled — a type of wheeze known as stridor.

From New York Times

He still suggests easing coughing and stridor by running a humidifier, however, or by having kids breathe in a room with a steamy shower or bath.

From Scientific American

It didn’t explain the stridor, which was his greatest concern.

From Washington Post

During that visit, Welch said, Joseph did not cough, although he tried to re-create the high-pitched wheezing, called stridor, which characterized his coughing episodes, as his mother described the sound.

From Washington Post

The axillary temperature was 103°, pulse 140; slight stridor in breathing and some cough; fauces very red, but free from membrane.

From Project Gutenberg