First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1whistle
noun, whis·tle often attributive \ˈhwi-səl, ˈwi-\
: a small device that makes a very high and loud sound when a person blows air through it
: a device through which air or steam is forced to produce a very high and loud sound
: a high and loud sound made by forcing air through your lips or teeth
Full Definition of WHISTLE
1
a : a small wind instrument in which sound is produced by the forcible passage of breath through a slit in a short tube <a police whistle> b : a device through which air or steam is forced into a cavity or against a thin edge to produce a loud sound <a factory whistle>
2
a : a shrill clear sound produced by forcing breath out or air in through the puckered lips b : the sound produced by a whistle c : a signal given by or as if by whistling
3
: a sound that resembles a whistle; especially : a shrill clear note of or as if of a bird
See whistle defined for English-language learners
See whistle defined for kids
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Origin of WHISTLE
Middle English, from Old English hwistle; akin to Old Norse hvīsla to whisper
Other Music Terms
2whistle
verb
: to make a high sound by blowing air through your lips or teeth
: to produce a high and loud sound by forcing air or steam through a device
: to move, pass, or go very fast with a high sound
whis·tledwhis·tling \-s(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of WHISTLE
intransitive verb
1
a : to utter a shrill clear sound by blowing or drawing air through the puckered lips b : to utter a shrill note or call resembling a whistle c : to make a shrill clear sound especially by rapid movement <the wind whistled> d : to blow or sound a whistle
2
a : to give a signal or issue an order or summons by or as if by whistling b : to make a demand without result <he did a sloppy job, so he can whistle for his money>
transitive verb
1
a : to send, bring, signal, or call by or as if by whistling b : to charge (as a basketball or hockey player) with an infraction
2
: to produce, utter, or express by whistling <whistle a tune>
— whis·tle·able \-sə-lə-bəl\ adjective
— whistle in the dark
: to keep up one's courage by or as if by whistling
See whistle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WHISTLE
before 12th century
WHISTLE Defined for Kids
1whistle
noun whis·tle \ˈhwi-səl, ˈwi-\
Definition of WHISTLE for Kids
1
: a device by which a loud high-pitched sound is produced
2
: a high-pitched sound (as that made by forcing the breath through puckered lips)
2whistle
verb
whis·tledwhis·tling
Definition of WHISTLE for Kids
1
: to make a high-pitched sound by forcing the breath through the teeth or lips
2
: to move, pass, or go with a high-pitched sound <The arrow whistled past.>
3
: to produce a high-pitched sound by forcing air or steam through a device <The kettle whistled.>
4
: to express by whistling <I whistled my surprise.>
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