Meaning of cough In English

• 0 to force air out of your lungs through your throat with a short, loud sound:

  • The smoke made me cough.

  • I coughed all night long.

  • The car engine coughed a few times, but wouldn't start.

• 1 the act of coughing, or the sound this makes:

  • a dry cough (= one that does not produce mucus)

  • a hacking (= very bad and loud) cough

  • a smoker's cough

  • Emily has a very bad/nasty cough.

• 2 to force air out of your lungs through your throat with a short, loud sound, often unwillingly:

  • The smoke from the bonfire made me cough.

  • fig. The car engine coughed a few times, but wouldn’t start.

• 3 an act of forcing air out of your lungs through your throat with a short, loud sound, often unwillingly:

  • a dry cough

  • There are lots of coughs and colds going around this winter.