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whistling

American  
[hwis-ling, wis-] / ˈʰwɪs lɪŋ, ˈwɪs- /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that whistles.

  2. the sound produced.

  3. Veterinary Pathology. a form of roaring characterized by a peculiarly shrill sound.

whistling British  
/ ˈwɪslɪŋ /

noun

  1. vet science a breathing defect of horses characterized by a high-pitched sound with each intake of air Compare roaring

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

"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

As Ms. Kilpatrick notes, Ravel sometimes deflected praise for “Boléro,” his most famous work—and yet “he was unashamedly delighted when, passing a building site . . . he heard three construction workers whistling his tune.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Sánchez heard a whistling sound pass above him, and 10 more after that.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

“Going to school?” she asked, whistling curiously as she spoke.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

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.