26984 words

whistles

10 definitions • 20 examples
1
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:

Examples:

He whistled as he worked.
whistle at 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.
2
to move quickly through or past something, especially in a way that makes a long, high sound:

Examples:

whistle through She heard the wind whistling through the trees and the howl of a distant wolf.
whistle past I stepped out of the building and immediately a bullet whistled past my head.
The ball whistled past the goalkeeper before he could even think about moving.
3
When birds whistle, they sing in high musical notes:

Examples:

The birds were whistling in the early morning quiet.
4
In team sports, if a referee whistles, they blow a whistle to signal to the players, for example because a rule has been broken or to stop or start play:

Examples:

whistle for The referee whistled for a penalty early in the second half
The referee, much to the fans' relief, rightly whistled for a free-kick.
5
In team sports, if a referee whistles a player, they blow a whistle to signal a foul (= an action that is against the rules):

Examples:

be whistled for Jordan was whistled for an offensive foul.
Referees started whistling defenders who hand-check attacking players above the free throw line.
6
the sound made by someone or something whistling:

Examples:

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.
7
an object that you hold to your lips and blow through in order to make a loud, high sound:

Examples:

blow a whistle The referee blew his whistle for half-time.
8
a signal given by a referee in team sports by blowing a whistle, especially to stop play:

Examples:

half-time whistle The winger scored Munster's second try just before the half-time whistle.
play to the whistle You always tell players to play to the whistle (= follow the referee's instructions).
9
to make a musical sound by forcing the breath through a small passage between the lips or through a special device:

Examples:

[ I ] I whistled to my dog and she came running back.
[ I ] fig.The wind whistled through the trees.
10
A whistle is also a device that makes a loud, high sound when you blow into it.

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