# whooping cough

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhuːpɪŋ ˌkɒf/

## Definitions
1. A contagious disease of the respiratory system that usually affects children caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, the advanced stage of which is characterised by spasms of coughing followed by a whooping sound during the intake of breath.

## Etymology
From whooping + cough, from the characteristic-sounding cough that is a major symptom.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/whooping-cough