whoop

Whoop is a word with several meanings in English. As a noun and a verb, it denotes a loud cry or shout, often used to express excitement, triumph, or celebration. The phrases whoop it up or give a whoop are common idioms. The verb to whoop can also mean to defeat someone decisively in sport or competition.

The term is largely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of a high-pitched cry. Its usage is informal and varies by region and context, from festive hype to more restrained exclamations.

In medical English, whoop is associated with whooping cough, the common name for pertussis. The illness is characterized by paroxysmal coughing bouts followed by a high-pitched inhalation, or "whoop." Not all cases produce a pronounced whoop, and vaccination reduces risk and severity.

In contemporary consumer technology, WHOOP is the name of a wearable fitness tracker and subscription service. Founded in 2012 by Will Ahmed, the company produces a wrist-worn device that continuously monitors physiological data, including heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate during sleep, and skin temperature. The device is worn regularly and provides metrics such as Recovery, Sleep, and Strain to guide training and recovery decisions. WHOOP operates on a membership model for data insights, with the hardware sold separately. The battery typically lasts several days between charges.