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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of whistling

before 900; Middle English; Old English hwistlung. See whistle, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Wind speeds are higher up in the sky, and investment bankers are often distracted by whistling gales that blow against the tower.

From The Wall Street Journal

One was for a spyglass, one for a whorly, whistling shell, and one for a fat red pocketknife in a sheath.

From Literature

Woodstock gets a solo moment too, whistling on Dog Marley’s “Three Little Birds,” set to a perfect one drop beat as Charlie Brown spirals out in a chicken suit while rubber chickens sway.

From Los Angeles Times

Her husband, Joseph Hougebe, remembers whistling into the night, eagerly waiting to hear a paddle tapping against the hull of a dugout canoe -- coded signals in the darkness.

From Barron's

After some scattered cheering, the sound of whistling cut through the stadium music.

From The Wall Street Journal