whistling
Americannoun
-
the act of a person or thing that whistles.
-
the sound produced.
-
Veterinary Pathology. a form of roaring characterized by a peculiarly shrill sound.
noun
Etymology
Origin of whistling
before 900; Middle English; Old English hwistlung. See whistle, -ing 1
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.
“Investors have been whistling by the inflation graveyard and ignoring signals from the Treasury curve, as we’ve broken above 4.5% and on a trajectory to go even higher,” he added.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
He’s on a mission to check what he sees as the final box of an award-winning career: whistling the national anthem at an NFL game.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
"Losing and walking out whistling just isn't an option," he told Italian radio.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
At the same time, they create a high pitched sound by whistling inside the larynx.
From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026
This morning, as Mike and I were heading for homeroom, we came on a whole mob of kids laughing and whistling in the hallway.
From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.