An Encylopedia Britannica Company

Learner's Dictionary mobile search

×

Learner's Dictionary

pertussis

1 ENTRIES FOUND:

pertussis (noun)

Save

pertussis /pɚˈtʌsəs/ noun

pertussis

/pɚˈtʌsəs/

noun

Learner's definition of PERTUSSIS

[noncount] medical

: whooping cough

Comments & Questions

Comments & Questions

What made you want to look up pertussis? Include any comments and questions you have about this word.

ASK THE EDITOR

Explain the difference between a HOME and a HOUSE.

See the answer »

LEARNER'S QUIZZES

Vocabulary Quiz Icon

Vocabulary Quiz

Test your word power

Take the Quiz »

Name That Thing Icon

Name That Thing

Take our visual quiz

Test Your Knowledge »

LEARNER'S WORD OF THE DAY

Lounge Illustration

: to sit or lie in a relaxed way

Learn More »

The Merriam-Webster
Unabridged Dictionary

Merriam-Webster Unabridged Book Cover

Online access to a
legendary resource
Log In or Sign Up »

Learning Spanish?
We can help

Learner's Dictionary Book Cover

Visit our free site designed
especially for learners and
teachers of Spanish
SpanishCentral.com »

Woman With Cell Phone

Our Dictionary,
On Your Devices

Merriam-Webster,
With Voice Search
Get the Free Apps! »

Merriam-Webster's
Visual Dictionaries

Visual Dictionary Book Cover

The new edition of the
remarkable reference
features 8,000
illustrations.
Learn More »

Join Us

Learner's Dictionary
on Twitter »

Learner's Dictionary
on Facebook »

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more. See all »

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary » Britannica English - Arabic Translation » Nglish - Spanish-English Translation »

Spanish Central » Visual Dictionary » WordCentral for Kids »

Browse the Learner's Dictionary

© 2020 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated