ululation

[ uhl-yuh-ley-shuhn, yool- ]

noun

1. a long, high-pitched trilling sound resembling a howl, or the act of making such a sound, as to express grief or joy or as part of a musical performance:

   I particularly liked how her sharp ululation, like a battle cry, punctuated one of the songs on the album.

2. the howling of a dog or wolf, or the hooting of an owl:

   A low moan rose swiftly to a high and mournful ululation as the wolf serenaded the round, perfect moon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ululation¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin ululātiōn-, stem of ululātiō, equivalent to ululāt(us) + -iō -ion ( def ); ululate ( def )

Example Sentences

Again and again that melancholy ululation, with never a consonantal sound to break it, went forth into the night.

From Project Gutenberg

It was badly stage-managed; for even the rawest investigators must be struck by the absence of the usual feminine ululation.

From Project Gutenberg

All that resulted was a continuation of that mournful ululation like a wail out of eternity.

From Project Gutenberg

It was odd to see the effect that the ululation of the wild cat crying out in the woods had had upon the strapping frontiersman.

From Project Gutenberg

Then with one frenzied crescendo of inhuman ululation they stiffened and lay still, and Conan knew that they were dead.

From Project Gutenberg