whistle

Whistle is defined as to make a clear, high and shrill sound.

(verb)

An example of whistle is for a bird to sing out a tune.

The definition of a whistle is a clear, high, shrill sound, or a device for making such a sound.

(noun)

An example of a whistle is what a referee blows in a soccer game.

See whistle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb whistled, whistling

1. to make a clear, shrill sound or note, or a series of these, by forcing breath between the teeth or through a narrow opening made by puckering the lips
2. to make a similar sound by sending steam through a small opening
to make a clear, shrill cry: said of some birds and animals
to move, pass, go, etc. with a high, shrill sound, as the wind
1. to blow a whistle
2. to have its whistle blown: the train whistled

Origin: ME whistlen < OE hwistlian: for IE base see whisper

transitive verb

noun

an instrument for making whistling sounds, as by forcing the breath or steam through a slit into a cavity or against a thin edge
a clear, shrill sound made by whistling or blowing a whistle
the act of whistling
a signal, summons, etc. made by whistling
a whistling sound, as of the wind

Related Forms:

See whistle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb whis·tled, whis·tling, whis·tles

verb, intransitive

To produce a clear musical sound by forcing air through the teeth or through an aperture formed by pursing the lips.
To produce a clear, shrill, sharp musical sound by blowing on or through a device.
a. To produce a high-pitched sound when moving swiftly through the air: The stone whistled past my head.
b. To produce a high-pitched sound by the rapid movement of air through an opening or past an obstruction: Wind whistled through the cracks in the windows.
To emit a shrill, sharp, high-pitched cry, as some birds and other animals.

verb, transitive

noun

a. A small wind instrument for making whistling sounds by means of the breath.
b. A device for making whistling sounds by means of forced air or steam: a factory whistle.
A sound produced by a whistling device or by whistling through the lips.
A whistling sound, as of an animal or a projectile.
The act of whistling.
A whistling sound used to summon or command.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English whistlen

Origin: , from Old English hwistlian

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