meow

Sometimes mi·aou,

[mee-ou, myou]

noun

1. the characteristic sound a cat makes.

2. a spiteful or catty remark.

verb (used without object)

1. to make the sound of a cat.

2. to make a spiteful or catty remark.

meow

/ mjaʊl, mjaʊ, mɪˈaʊl, mɪˈaʊ /

verb

1. (intr) (of a cat) to make a characteristic crying sound

interjection

1. an imitation of this sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of meow¹

First recorded in 1870–75; imitative

Example Sentences

He would eat and then meow to leave.

From Los Angeles Times

The Texas bill purports to ban such "non-human behaviors" as "using a litter box," "barking, meowing, hissing" and "licking oneself."

From Salon

Dodger Stadium organist Dieter Ruehle has a long memory, playing a “meow” sound effect after each strikeout Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

“By the time we got to the back, I heard this very faint meowing.”

From Los Angeles Times

Other books showed a warmer, more playful side, such as in “Bark, George,” about a dog that meows.

From Los Angeles Times