whis·tle
ˈ(h)wi-səl 
often attributive
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
whistled; whistling
ˈ(h)wi-s(ə-)liŋ
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
1
a
: to send, bring, signal, or call by or as if by whistling
b
: to charge (someone, such as a basketball or hockey player) with an infraction
2
: to produce, utter, or express by whistling
whistle a tune
Examples of whistle in a Sentence
Noun
The policeman blew his whistle.
We could hear the train's whistle.
We could hear the low whistle of the wind through the trees.
the whistle of the tea kettle
Verb
He was whistling as he walked down the street.
He whistled for a cab.
He whistled a happy tune.
The teakettle started to whistle.
A bullet whistled past him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Once daylight savings time starts, the whistles go into hiding in the NBA.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Sting is also a mimic, able to copy Charlotte’s whistle, even though, as the slightly creepy would-be scientist living upstairs tells her, spiders don’t have vocal cords.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Officials blew their whistles, and Minnesota State got the ball back with 4.0 seconds left.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024
The two captains were required by navigational rules to slow down, steer right and sound their steam whistles out of precaution.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Protocol called for both ships to slow down, steer right to avoid a collision, and blast their steam whistle to signal the change of course — however, a sudden, thick fog further obstructed their vision.
—Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
People will sometimes carry an air horn or a whistle.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 26 Mar. 2024
Atalanta players celebrated its famous Anfield win following the final whistle, but there is still another 90 minutes to play in Italy next week.
—Ben Church, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
David whistled to the dog in one clip, as the pooch lay by his head and snuggled up to him.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
The Sámi people, who inhabit northern parts of Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden, believed that whistling, waving or singing under them is thought to attract and disturb them and that doing so might lead to unfavorable consequences or disruptions in the natural balance.
—The Arizona Republic, 31 Jan. 2024
Some cheered and whistled; others quietly waited, shovels in hand.
—Jalen Wright, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2024
Grande has become even more of a virtuoso singer, dialing back the showboating and whistle notes and instead using nuance and her complex, interlocking, multi-tracked vocals to create texture and intimacy.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024
The crowd appeared to be restless after over a minute of this, shouting, whistling and booing.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2024
Everyone lapped up the Outsiders House Museum, a faithful re-creation of the bungalow the Curtis brothers shared in the movie, located in a residential neighborhood whistling distance from the train tracks.
—Melena Ryzik Adali Schell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
Misinformation runs rampant and unchecked as platforms actively decrease their moderation, step away from ties with news publishers, and whistle softly while troll farms abuse their systems to deceive the American public.
—John Matze, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024
Noun
After the game, the Lakers voiced their frustration, with the blown lead and with whistles that didn’t go their way.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Once daylight savings time starts, the whistles go into hiding in the NBA.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Sting is also a mimic, able to copy Charlotte’s whistle, even though, as the slightly creepy would-be scientist living upstairs tells her, spiders don’t have vocal cords.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Officials blew their whistles, and Minnesota State got the ball back with 4.0 seconds left.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024
The two captains were required by navigational rules to slow down, steer right and sound their steam whistles out of precaution.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Protocol called for both ships to slow down, steer right to avoid a collision, and blast their steam whistle to signal the change of course — however, a sudden, thick fog further obstructed their vision.
—Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
People will sometimes carry an air horn or a whistle.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 26 Mar. 2024
Atalanta players celebrated its famous Anfield win following the final whistle, but there is still another 90 minutes to play in Italy next week.
—Ben Church, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
Jovic was whistled for fouling Isaiah Stewart, despite seemingly minimal contact on the play.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024
David whistled to the dog in one clip, as the pooch lay by his head and snuggled up to him.
—Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
The Sámi people, who inhabit northern parts of Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden, believed that whistling, waving or singing under them is thought to attract and disturb them and that doing so might lead to unfavorable consequences or disruptions in the natural balance.
—The Arizona Republic, 31 Jan. 2024
Some cheered and whistled; others quietly waited, shovels in hand.
—Jalen Wright, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2024
Grande has become even more of a virtuoso singer, dialing back the showboating and whistle notes and instead using nuance and her complex, interlocking, multi-tracked vocals to create texture and intimacy.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024
The crowd appeared to be restless after over a minute of this, shouting, whistling and booing.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2024
Everyone lapped up the Outsiders House Museum, a faithful re-creation of the bungalow the Curtis brothers shared in the movie, located in a residential neighborhood whistling distance from the train tracks.
—Melena Ryzik Adali Schell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024
Misinformation runs rampant and unchecked as platforms actively decrease their moderation, step away from ties with news publishers, and whistle softly while troll farms abuse their systems to deceive the American public.
—John Matze, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whistle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near whistle
Cite this Entry
“Whistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whistle. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whistle
1 of 2 noun
whis·tle
ˈhwis-əl
ˈwis-
1
: a device making a shrill sound
tin whistle
steam whistle
2
a
: a shrill clear sound made by forcing air through puckered lips
b
: a sound or signal produced by a whistle or as if by whistling
whistle
2 of 2 verb
whistled; whistling
ˈhwis-(ə-)liŋ
ˈwis-
1
: to make a whistle through puckered lips
2
: to move, pass, or go with a shrill sound
an arrow whistled by me
3
: to blow or sound a whistle
the teakettle whistled
4
: to utter by whistling
whistle a tune
whistler
noun
ˈhwis-(ə-)lər
ˈwis-
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share