whoa I. \ˈ(h)wō, ˈhō\verb imperative alsowoorwoa\ˈwō\ Etymology: Middle English whoo, who — a command to a draft animal to stand still; compare giddap II. verb imperative : cease or slow a course of action or a line of thought : pause to consider or reconsider — often used to express a strong reaction (as alarm or astonishment)