whistle

American  

[wis-uhl, hwis-] / ˈwɪs əl, ˈʰwɪs- /

verb (used without object)

whistled, whistling

1. to make a clear musical sound, a series of such sounds, or a high-pitched, warbling sound by the forcible expulsion of the breath through a small opening formed by contracting the lips, or through the teeth, with the aid of the tongue.

2. to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device.

3. to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do.

4. (of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like.

   This teakettle whistles when it boils.

5. to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind.

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verb (used with object)

whistled, whistling

1. to produce by whistling.

   to whistle a tune.

2. to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling.

   He whistled his dog over.

3. to send with a whistling or whizzing sound.

noun

1. an instrument for producing whistling sounds by means of the breath, steam, etc., as a small wooden or tin tube, a pipe, or a similar device with an air chamber containing a small ball that oscillates when air is forced through an opening, producing a high-pitched, warbling tone.

2. a sound produced by whistling.

   a prolonged whistle of astonishment.

3. a simple fipple flute.

verb phrase

1. whistle for to demand or expect without success.

   After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money.

idioms

1. whistle in the dark, to attempt to summon up one's courage or optimism in a difficult situation.

   He says his business will improve next year, but he's probably just whistling in the dark.

2. wet one's whistle, to take a drink.

3. whistle past the graveyard. see whistle past the graveyard.

4. blow the whistle on,

   1. to bring a stop to; halt.

      Congress has blown the whistle on all unnecessary expenditures for the program.

   2. to expose (wrongdoing or wrongdoers).

      to blow the whistle on corruption in high places.

5. blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing.

   The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle.

whistle British  

/ ˈwɪsəl /

verb

1. to produce (shrill or flutelike musical sounds), as by passing breath through a narrow constriction most easily formed by the pursed lips

   he whistled a melody

2. (tr) to signal, summon, or command by whistling or blowing a whistle

   the referee whistled the end of the game

3. (of a kettle, train, etc) to produce (a shrill sound) caused by the emission of steam through a small aperture

4. (intr) to move with a whistling sound caused by rapid passage through the air

5. (of animals, esp birds) to emit (a shrill sound) resembling human whistling

6. to try to keep up one's confidence in spite of fear

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noun

1. a device for making a shrill high-pitched sound by means of air or steam under pressure

2. a shrill sound effected by whistling

3. a whistling sound, as of a bird, bullet, the wind, etc

4. a signal, warning, command, etc, transmitted by or as if by a whistle

5. the act of whistling

6. music any pipe that is blown down its end and produces sounds on the principle of a flue pipe, usually having as a mouthpiece a fipple cut in the side

7. informal to take an alcoholic drink

8. informal (usually foll by on)

   1. to inform (on)

   2. to bring a stop (to)

whistle More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing whistle

• blow the whistle on
• clean as a whistle
• slick as a whistle
• wet one's whistle

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Other Word Forms

• interwhistle verb (used with object)
• unwhistled adjective
• whistleable adjective

Etymology

Origin of whistle

First recorded before 950; (verb) Middle English whistlen, Old English hwistlian; akin to Old Norse hvīsla “to whistle,” hviskra “to whisper”; see whine; (noun) Middle English; Old English hwistle “instrument,” akin to the verb

Explanation

A whistle is a small wind instrument, and you probably know people who are good at whistling without an instrument. Trains have whistles, and the wind whistles too. The world is full of whistles. Whistle is a word with several meanings, but they have in common a similar high-pitched, airy sound. This is different from most instruments. You can't tuba without a tuba, but you can whistle without a whistle. Sometimes people's teeth make a whistling sound by accident. Referees and traffic cops carry whistles to get people's attention. Other people whistle for many reasons: because they're impressed, see something they like, or just want to say, "Hey you!"

Example Sentences

Crouse’s father and his partner had a similar habit of writing stories with political undertones, Crouse said, asking audiences, “Who are you when the whistle blows?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

Percussion instruments—including a whistle and slap-stick—interrupt and startle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The task for De Zerbi now is lifting his players after coming within only a few minutes of achieving a momentous victory, the devastation evident on his players' faces at the full-time whistle.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

When the whistle blew for the break, it was finally time to catch our breath.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

A second later a sharp whistle ripped through the air, and we both froze.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• blare
• hiss