hic·cup
ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp 
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
variants
or less commonly hiccough
hiccuped also hiccupped; hiccuping also hiccupping
: to make a hiccup
also
: to be affected with hiccups
Synonyms
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
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2024
Despite the signage hiccup, Morgan Wallen’s This Bar still plans to open this Memorial Day Weekend.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2024
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 
Noun
Even with no hiccups, the boreholes could take days to drill, especially where Thwaites thickens to more than a half mile.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 12 June 2024
Despite the signage hiccup, Morgan Wallen’s This Bar still plans to open this Memorial Day Weekend.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 May 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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hiccup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near hiccup
Cite this Entry
“Hiccup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hiccup. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 operation—Lancet
Lancetintractable hiccup … may be successfully treated—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Associationhiccup
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
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