honk

American  

[hongk, hawngk] / hɒŋk, hɔŋk /

noun

1. the cry of a goose.

2. any similar sound, as of an automobile horn.

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verb (used without object)

1. to emit a honk.

2. to cause an automobile horn to sound.

   He drove up in front of the house and honked.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause (an automobile horn) to sound.

   The driver honked his horn impatiently.

honk British  

/ hɒŋk /

noun

1. a representation of the sound made by a goose

2. any sound resembling this, esp a motor horn

3. slang a bad smell

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verb

1. to make or cause (something) to make such a sound

2. (intr) a slang word for vomit

3. slang to have a bad smell

Etymology

Origin of honk

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; imitative

Example Sentences

In Florida, 90 minutes south of Mar-a-Lago, a jubilant crowd gathered outside an arepa restaurant, honking horns, cheering and waving Venezuelan and American flags.

From The Wall Street Journal

By noon, the crowd had swollen to hundreds, blasting music, chanting, with motorists honking horns and waving flags on nearby roads.

From BBC

Associated noise-related issues range from unruly crowds to honking horns in overcrowded parking lots.

From Barron's

A fairground train carrying children made its way through the crowd, its Christmas soundtrack drowned out by the supportive honks of cars.

From Barron's

Dolly gets a lot of honks and smiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• beep
• blare