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
Ben Church, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
The whistle blower says in the documentary that Stephan was a libertarian and strongly opposed to taxes.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The newcomer, wearing No. 57, looked comfortable on the ball from the opening whistle and was integral in the buildup from the back all night.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2024
The last shuttle will depart approximately one hour after the final whistle.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
Sporting was on the front foot from the first whistle.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024
Finally, a whistle blew in overtime, and USC’s JuJu Watkins crumpled.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2024
But Sheffield’s stadium looked notably empty by the end of the night, with large swathes of home supporters leaving way before the final whistle.
—Ben Church, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
Lead singer Blair Tramel shouted vociferously and did jumping jacks while her band bashed out athletic riffs, punctuated by blasts from the whistle that their guitarist had around his neck.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 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
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
The whistle blower says in the documentary that Stephan was a libertarian and strongly opposed to taxes.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
The newcomer, wearing No. 57, looked comfortable on the ball from the opening whistle and was integral in the buildup from the back all night.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2024
The last shuttle will depart approximately one hour after the final whistle.
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
Sporting was on the front foot from the first whistle.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024
Finally, a whistle blew in overtime, and USC’s JuJu Watkins crumpled.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2024
But Sheffield’s stadium looked notably empty by the end of the night, with large swathes of home supporters leaving way before the final whistle.
—Ben Church, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
Lead singer Blair Tramel shouted vociferously and did jumping jacks while her band bashed out athletic riffs, punctuated by blasts from the whistle that their guitarist had around his neck.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 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 24 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-
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