a quick, involuntary inhalation that follows a spasm of the diaphragm and is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, producing a short, relatively sharp sound.

Usually, hiccups. the condition of having such spasms

She got the hiccups just as she began to speak.

Informal . a minor difficulty, interruption, setback, etc.

a hiccup in the stock market.

to make the sound of a hiccup

The motor hiccuped as it started.

to have the hiccups.

Informal . to experience a temporary decline, setback, interruption, etc.

There was general alarm when the economy hiccuped.