From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishwhistlewhis‧tle1 /ˈwɪsəl/ ●●○ verb 1 high sound [intransitive, transitive]CSING to make a high or musical sound by blowing air out through your lips Adam whistled happily on his way to work. I heard this song on the radio and I’ve been whistling it all day. He whistled a tune as he strolled down the corridor.whistle to somebody (=whistle to get someone’s attention) Dad whistled to us to come home for dinner.whistle at somebody (=whistle to let someone know that you think they are attractive) Men are always whistling at Heidi on the street.2 use a whistle [intransitive]CDS to make a high sound by blowing into a whistle The referee whistled and the game began.3 go/move fast [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]CFAST/QUICK to move quickly, making a whistling sound Bullets and shells were whistling overhead. They listened to the wind whistling through the trees.4 steam train/kettle [intransitive]CD if a steam train or kettle whistles, it makes a high sound when air or steam is forced through a small hole5 bird [intransitive]CHBB if a bird whistles, it makes a high musical sound 6 → be whistling in the dark7 → somebody can whistle for something→ See Verb table
DSDGa small object that produces a high whistling sound when you blow into it The lifeguard blew his whistle.2 CSOUNDa high sound made by blowing a whistle, by blowing air out through your lips, or when air or steam is forced through a small opening Larsson scored just minutes before the final whistle.low/shrill/high-pitched etc whistle Sanders gave a low whistle when he saw the contents of the box.3 a piece of equipment on a train or boat that makes a high noise when air is forced through it4 CSOUNDthe sound of something moving quickly through the airwhistle of We could hear the whistle of the jets as they passed overhead. → blow the whistle on something at blow1(17), → clean as a whistle at clean1(1), penny whistle, wolf whistle
Examples from the Corpus
whistle• The audience hooted, whistled, and laughed.• He stacked crates one on top of the other, whistling as he did so.• When I got home he was already in his room, whistling away cheerfully.• You belong on your own block, where I can whistle for you.• The kettle was whistling on the stove.• She turned, and another something whistled past her ear.• A bullet whistled past his left cheek.• So I went to school and sat in class and memorized more than understood and whistled past the academic graveyard.• Lucie whistled sharply to catch her attention, then beckoned her over to stand beside him.• You've been whistling that tune all day.• Fans yelled and whistled when the band came on stage.• The ideas, the whistling words, they throbbed in all the senses.whistled ... tune• He whistled a tune as he strolled down the corridor.whistlewhistle2 ●●○ noun [countable] 1 DSDGa small object that produces a high whistling sound when you blow into it The lifeguard blew his whistle.2 CSOUNDa high sound made by blowing a whistle, by blowing air out through your lips, or when air or steam is forced through a small opening Larsson scored just minutes before the final whistle.low/shrill/high-pitched etc whistle Sanders gave a low whistle when he saw the contents of the box.3 a piece of equipment on a train or boat that makes a high noise when air is forced through it4 CSOUNDthe sound of something moving quickly through the airwhistle of We could hear the whistle of the jets as they passed overhead. → blow the whistle on something at blow1(17), → clean as a whistle at clean1(1), penny whistle, wolf whistleExamples from the Corpus
whistle• Carry a whistle and a spare length of rope which can be used for towing others or making repairs.• The boy gave a high whistle and was joined by another.• No bells, no whistles, no dancing bears.• From the direction of the North River came the long piercing stab of a steam whistle.• Just before the whistle blew Vernon thought she had seen him; at any rate she was looking in his direction.• Ashley heard the whistle of the ax as it swung by.• There was the whistle of a bomb which got nearer and nearer.• Suddenly, all over Illinois, train whistles began blowing in the middle of the night.blew ... whistle• The Referee glanced at his watch and blew the whistle for half-time.• I blew my whistle till I blew the pea out of it.• But I never blew the whistle on him.• Needless to say the ref blew the whistle exactly on time.• This made her angrier than before, and she blew her silver whistle twice.• After a minute somebody blew a whistle, and we all rushed to the door.• Miss Verjec blew her whistle and walked angrily towards those who had stopped playing and fallen down.• Was he the one who blew the whistle?low/shrill/high-pitched etc whistle• Flora gave a shrill whistle and started trotting down the cliff.• She was still pondering on this mystery when a low whistle came from the other side of the ditch.• A high-pitched whistle screeched along the line.• A shrill whistle could be discerned, audible above the scrape and screech of the music.• A shrill whistle is blown angrily by a shivering soldier, a sentry at the tomb.• Call a rather feeble high-pitched whistle or whine.• Calls a short high-pitched whistle and a harsh grating note.Origin whistle2 Old English hwistle 