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

Etymology

Origin of whistling

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

whistling whistlings

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 perfectly non-racial explanation for all of the cat and dog whistling.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

“I was awakened by whistling and shouting,” said Zvonko Springer, who worked on road construction.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

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

The din was frightful; whistlings, groanings, grindings, varying but never diminishing, were re-echoed from many vast triangular-roofed sheds, standing at intervals on a sloping ground intersected by numerous railways.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 11 by Hamilton Wright Mabie

Pursued by his braggart whistlings and the hoarse echoings of his mirth, Black Shadow left him and hurried back to the Wizard’s Cave to make known to him the success of her mission.

From The Shadow Witch by Anne Merriman Peck

Ralph looked up, as with prodigious whistlings a single locomotive came tearing down the rails, took the outer main track, and was lost to sight.

From Ralph of the Roundhouse by Allen Chapman

Scarcely have I said the word "Gentlemen," when a volley of shouts and whistlings greets me.

From Jonathan and His Continent Rambles Through American Society by Jack Allyn