dog whistle
noun
an ultrasonic whistle, audible to dogs and some other animals but out of the range easily perceptible to the human ear, used by handlers of working dogs and by dog trainers.
dog whistling
-
a word derived from
dog whistle.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There’s a perfectly non-racial explanation for all of the cat and dog whistling.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
"It's dog whistling of the finest. It's gaslighting. It does have an impact on people."
From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2023
Stoya: Not to say that this person is a misogynist—but this does feel like dog whistling, even if inadvertent.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2020
Most people think about dog-whistling in racial terms, but dog whistling is much more than a racial dynamic.
From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2019
At the corner of the street by a livery-stable a little boy in a flat-topped leather cap was calling incessantly for some unseen dog, whistling and slapping his knees.
From Vandover and the Brute by Frank Norris
