Showing results for "whistling"

• present participle of whistle.

whistling

American  

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

noun

• whistlings
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• whistlings
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of whistling

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

whistling whistlings

But that kind of optimism can quickly start to sound more like whistling past the graveyard.

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026

Blume's speech was repeatedly interrupted by jeering and whistling, a person present at the meeting told AFP, and workers held aloft signs saying: "Don't balance your books with our jobs".

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

Paul was known for whistling while delivering mail.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

DeChambeau reportedly stayed out on the driving range until after dark, at times whistling, humming and singing while hitting balls and offering reporters snacks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

There’s a loud crackling sound like fire makes, and a whistling of wind.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

It rose flapping its wings and disappeared into the clouds, to a send-off of applause, whistlings, handkerchiefs, drumrolls, and the sprinkling of holy water.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Shadowy forms grew out of the starlight, with whistlings, answered from afar; more shadows came.

From Stepsons of Light by Eugene Manlove Rhodes

Shoutings, bawlings, whistlings, and screamings were in full swing, and the lady paused for a moment, whispering to her companion, “Oh, let’s go back—I can’t stand this at any price.”

From Recollections of Old Liverpool by A Nonagenarian

All the while the leader talked to them, a curious language of cheepings and whistlings; and they answered back with questions or sharp exclamations as my head appeared in sight for a moment.

From Wood Folk at School by William Joseph Long

Or at times, across a corner of the bay, two natives might communicate in the Marquesan manner with conventional whistlings.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 18 (of 25) by Robert Louis Stevenson

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