pertussis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “pertussis” mean?
A highly contagious bacterial disease characterized by violent coughing spasms often ending in a 'whooping' sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly contagious bacterial disease characterized by violent coughing spasms often ending in a 'whooping' sound.
A technical medical term for whooping cough, an infectious respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Its defining feature is paroxysms of severe coughing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; 'whooping cough' is the common term in both varieties. Pronunciation of 'pertussis' itself differs (see IPA).
Connotations
Equally clinical and formal in both dialects.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech, used at comparable frequencies in medical settings in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “pertussis” in a Sentence
suffer from pertussisbe vaccinated against pertussisthe causative agent of pertussisa diagnosis of pertussisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pertussis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The pertussis component of the vaccine is acellular.
- Pertussis notifications have risen in the county.
American English
- The pertussis booster is recommended for adolescents.
- We are tracking pertussis incidence rates.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Frequent in medical, epidemiological, and public health literature. Used in research papers, textbooks, and clinical reports.
Everyday
Virtually unused; 'whooping cough' is the universal term. May appear in official health advisories or vaccination schedules.
Technical
The standard formal term in medical diagnostics, immunology, and virology. Used in vaccine names (e.g., DTaP, which includes pertussis).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pertussis”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pertussis”
- Using 'pertussis' to describe a bad cough in general. Pronouncing it as /pərˈtuːsɪs/ (with a long 'u'). Confusing it with 'tussis' (a rare, direct Latin borrowing for cough).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, pertussis is the medical term for whooping cough.
Because severe coughing fits are often followed by a high-pitched 'whoop' sound as the patient gasps for air.
Yes, adults can get it, often with milder symptoms, but they can still spread it to unvaccinated infants for whom it is very dangerous.
Yes, it is part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule (e.g., in the DTaP or Tdap vaccines) and booster shots are recommended for adolescents and adults.
A highly contagious bacterial disease characterized by violent coughing spasms often ending in a 'whooping' sound.
Pertussis is usually technical/medical in register.
Pertussis: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈtʌsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈtʌsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PERTurbed child with a persiStent cough that sounds like 'TUSS-is, TUSS-is' (from the Latin 'tussis' for cough).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'pertussis' MOST appropriately used?