pertussis

noun

per·​tus·​sis pər-ˈtə-səs How to pronounce pertussis (audio)

Examples of pertussis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There are vaccines available that prevent pertussis (whopping cough), RSV, and varicella (chickenpox). Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025 This is one reason why the number of pertussis cases went down. Dr. Shreya Doshi, Boston Herald, 8 Dec. 2024 Across the state, cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, are up more than 20 times year over year, according to data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2025 The pace accelerated when pertussis vaccine was combined with diphtheria toxoid and tetanus toxoid to create the DPT (diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis) vaccine in 1948. Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pertussis 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin per- thoroughly + tussis cough

First Known Use

circa 1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pertussis was circa 1772

Dictionary Entries Near pertussis

Cite this Entry

“Pertussis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pertussis. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

pertussis

noun
per·​tus·​sis pər-ˈtəs-əs How to pronounce pertussis (audio)

Medical Definition

pertussis

noun
per·​tus·​sis pər-ˈtəs-əs How to pronounce pertussis (audio)

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