—whistle /ˈwɪs.l̩/
noun [C]
B2 the sound made by someone or something whistling:
» From the bottom of the garden I recognized my father's tuneless whistle.» It sounded like the whistle of an old-fashioned steam train.» She listened to the whistle of the wind through the trees.Thesaurus+: ↑Sounds made by humans with their mouthsThesaurus+: ↑Sounds made by objects, movement or impactF0 an object that you hold to your lips and blow through in order to make a loud, high sound:
» The referee blew his whistle for half-time.Thesaurus+: ↑Wind instrumentsverb ↑Verb Endings for whistle
B2 [I or T] to make a high sound by forcing air through a small hole or passage, especially through the lips, or through a special device held to the lips:
» He whistled as he worked.» On the days when she wore a skirt the men on the building site would whistle at her.» Someone was whistling Beatles tunes outside my window.» The referee whistled and the game was over.Thesaurus+: ↑Sounds made by humans with their mouthsF0 [I + adv/prep] to make a long, high sound while moving quickly through or past something:
» She heard the wind whistling through the trees and the howl of a distant wolf.» I stepped out of the building and immediately a bullet whistled past my head.Thesaurus+: ↑Sounds made by objects, movement or impactF0 [I] When birds whistle, they sing in high musical notes:
» The birds were whistling in the early morning quiet.Thesaurus+: ↑Animal (non-human) sounds• • •
Extra Examples:» He whistled to call his dogs.» She always whistles in the bath.» He was whistling a merry tune.