/ skwiːk; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to make a short high sound that is not very loud :
My new shoes squeak.
The mouse ran away, squeaking with fear.
One wheel makes a horrible squeaking noise.
2.
to speak in a very high voice, especially when you are nervous or excited :
[ v speech ]
'Let go of me!' he squeaked nervously.
[also v ]
3.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to only just manage to win sth, pass a test, etc. :
We squeaked into the final with a goal in the last minute.
■ noun
a short, high cry or sound, that is not usually very loud
—see also bubble and squeak
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a verb): imitative; compare with Swedish skväka croak, also with squeal and shriek . The noun dates from the early 17th cent.