whistle

Pluralwhistles

Formswhistles, whistling, whistled

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A device you blow into, or one worked by steam or a machine, that makes a high, sharp sound.

   The coach blew her whistle to start the game.

   We heard the steam train's whistle long before it came into the station.

   Note
2. 2
   with lipsverbtransitive or intransitive

   To make a high, clear sound by blowing air out through your lips.

   My grandfather likes to whistle while he cooks.

   She whistled her favorite song on the way home.

   Note
3. 3
   the soundnouncountable

   A high, sharp sound made when someone or something whistles.

   We heard a whistle from the street and looked out the window.

   The crowd answered the singer with loud whistles and cheers.

4. 4
   nouncountable

   One act of whistling, such as to call a dog or show surprise.

   Give me a whistle when you're ready to go.

   He gave a quick whistle, and the dog came running.

5. 5
   nouncountable

   Any high sound that is like the sound of someone whistling.

   We could hear the whistle of the wind through the old window.

   A bird's sweet whistle woke me early this morning.

   Similarwhine, shriek, hiss

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To call, signal, or send someone by blowing a whistle or whistling.

   He whistled his dog back to his side.

   The coach will whistle the players off the field at noon.

   Similarsignal, call

7. 7
   rush through airverbintransitive

   To move in a way that makes a high, sharp sound.

   An arrow whistled past my ear.

   Cold winds whistle through the cracks in the old barn.

   Similarwhiz, whine, scream, howl

   Note
8. 8
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To make a sound like whistling by pushing air through a pipe, an instrument, or something similar.

   The kettle whistled on the stove.

   The old pipes whistle when air gets into them.

   Similartoot, hoot, shriek

9. 9
   throatnouncolloquialcountable

   Your mouth and throat, the parts of your body you whistle with.

   After the long walk, we stopped to wet our whistles with cold water.

   I need a glass of lemonade to wet my whistle.

   Note
10. 10
    suitnoundialectalCockneycountable

    A suit, meaning a matching jacket and pants worn together.

    He put on his best whistle for his sister's wedding.

    That's a smart whistle, mate. Where did you get it?

    Similarsuit

    Note
11. 11
    join religious groupverbslangintransitive

    To ask to join Opus Dei, a Roman Catholic group.

    She decided to whistle after a year of retreats at the Opus Dei center.

    Many members of Opus Dei remember the day they whistled.

    Note

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