screech

American  

[skreech] / skritʃ /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter or make a harsh, shrill cry or sound.

   The child screeched hysterically. The brakes screeched.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter with a screech.

   She screeched her warning.

noun

1. a harsh, shrill cry or sound.

   an owl's screech; the screech of brakes.

screech ¹ British  

/ skriːtʃ /

noun

1. a shrill, harsh, or high-pitched sound or cry

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verb

1. to utter with or produce a screech

screech ² British  

/ skriːtʃ /

noun

1. (esp in Newfoundland) a dark rum

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Related Words

See scream.

Other Word Forms

• screecher noun

Etymology

Origin of screech

First recorded in 1550–60; variant of obsolete scritch “to scream”; akin to screak

Example Sentences

A screeching howl goes off inside the water park.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We’re off to a good start now, but keep in mind that a lot of good starts have come to a screeching halt,” said state climatologist Mike Anderson.

From Los Angeles Times

It feels like there’s a skyscraper pushing into my chest and my heart is going to burst out of me and seven death metal bands are screeching at the same time inside my head.

From Literature

Her tenure at the outlet came to a screeching halt after reports of her alleged romance with Kennedy, 71, surfaced last year.

From Los Angeles Times

She listened for the grating chug of the wheels and metal-on-metal screech of the brakes as the train rounded each curve, but it was still too far away.

From Literature

Related Words

• howl
• shout
• shriek
• squeal
• yell