hiccup

1 of 2

noun

hic·​cup ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp How to pronounce hiccup (audio)
variants or less commonly hiccough
1
: a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound
2
: an attack of hiccuping
usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
3
a
: a slight irregularity, error, or malfunction
a few hiccups in the computer system
b
: a usually minor and short-lived interruption or disruption, or change
a hiccup in the stock market

hiccup

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly hiccough
hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping

intransitive verb

: to make a hiccup
also : to be affected with hiccups

Examples of hiccup in a Sentence

Noun Our computer problems were caused by a hiccup in the power supply. The stock market has continued to rise, except for a slight hiccup earlier this month.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
That process has already had one hiccup, after former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew today as Trump’s attorney general nominee overseeing the nation’s top law-enforcement agency. David Bloom, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Prince Albert previously joked to PEOPLE about how their expanding family can create a bit of a hiccup on National Day — no room on the palace balcony! Janine Henni, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
Sometimes the music seems to hiccup into silence, as if nitrogen bubbles flowed through its bloodstream. Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2023 Some babies hiccup frequently, even multiple times a day. Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 10 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for hiccup 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hiccup was circa 1580

Dictionary Entries Near hiccup

Cite this Entry

“Hiccup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hiccup. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hiccup

1 of 2 noun
hic·​cup
variants also hiccough
: a sudden drawing in of breath that is followed and stopped by sudden closure of the glottis and accompanied by a gulping sound

hiccup

2 of 2 verb
variants also hiccough
hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping
: to make a hiccup or be affected with hiccups

Medical Definition

hiccup

1 of 2 noun
hic·​cup
variants also hiccough
1
: a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound
2
: an attack of hiccuping
usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction
severe hiccups is sometimes seen after operationLancet
intractable hiccup … may be successfully treatedThe Journal of the American Medical Association

hiccup

2 of 2 intransitive verb
variants also hiccough
hiccuped also hiccupped or hiccoughed; hiccuping also hiccupping or hiccoughing
: to make a hiccup
also : to be affected with hiccups
hiccuper noun
also hiccougher

More from Merriam-Webster on hiccup

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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