Definition of Cough 1. A sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis Noun 2. Exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion Verb Synonyms for word "cough" Semanticaly linked words with "cough" Hyponims for word "cough" Lexical Analysis for "cough" coughing a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis cough out discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth cough up discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth give reluctantly etymology anticough etymology coughy is derived from cough medicine is derived from cough mixture is derived from cough syrup is derived from cough up is derived from coughed is derived from cougher is derived from coughing is derived from coughs is derived from whooping cough