Dictionary.com
definitions

chirrup

[cheer-uh p, chur-]
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR chirrup ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), chir·ruped, chir·rup·ing.

to chirp: robins chirruping on the lawn.
to make a similar sound: She chirruped softly to encourage the horse.

verb (used with object), chir·ruped, chir·rup·ing.

to utter with chirps.
to make a chirping sound to.

noun

the act or sound of chirruping: a chirrup of birds.

RELATED WORDS

hoot, warble, trill, pipe, twitter, cry, chuck, cheep, squeak, chatter, tweet, coo, churr, chirp, chip, peep, tweedle, sound, lilt, quaver

Origin of chirrup

First recorded in 1570–80; variant of chirp
Related formschir·rup·per, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chirrup

Historical Examples of chirrup

  • A resounding “chirrup” and the weary beasts strained at their neck-yoke.

  • Ben gave a chirrup, the horses began to move, and that was the end of dear old Tunxet.

    Eyebright

    Susan Coolidge

  • Another what seemed to be a painfully long pause, and then Chirrup!

    Fitz the Filibuster

    George Manville Fenn

  • It is to be hoped so, sir; the blackbirds are giving a chirrup or two.

  • There was no news from Joe Douglas these many weeks past, not a line, not a chirrup from him.

    On the Road to Bagdad

    F. S. Brereton

British Dictionary definitions for chirrup

chirrup

verb (intr)

(esp of some birds) to chirp repeatedly
to make clucking sounds with the lips

noun

such a sound
Derived Formschirruper, nounchirrupy, adjective

Word Origin for chirrup

C16: variant of chirp
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for chirrup
v.

1570s, alternative form chirp (v.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper