Cough

A sudden and forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, typically to clear the throat or breathing passages of irritants or mucus. Coughing is a reflex action initiated by the stimulation of cough receptors located throughout the respiratory system, leading to the contraction of muscles in the chest and abdomen. It can be a symptom of various conditions, from the common cold and allergies to more serious respiratory illnesses. The characteristics of a cough, such as its sound, frequency, and accompanying symptoms, can provide clues about its underlying cause. Coughs can be productive (producing phlegm or mucus) or non-productive (dry).

Cough meaning with examples

• The persistent cough, accompanied by a runny nose and fever, suggested a common cold, which caused John to cough all night and most of the day.
• The dust in the construction site triggered a dry cough, irritating the construction workers' throats.
• Smoking heavily caused a chronic smoker to cough violently for several minutes at a time, impacting the quality of life.
• The doctor listened carefully as Sarah described her cough, which had a deep, barking quality, worrying her.
• After the smoke alarm went off, everyone started to cough from the fumes, which caused them to evacuate the building.