/ ˈwɪsl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a small metal or plastic tube that you blow to make a loud high sound, used to attract attention or as a signal :
The referee finally blew the whistle to stop the game.
—see also tin whistle
2.
the sound made by blowing a whistle :
He scored the winning goal just seconds before the final whistle.
3.
the sound that you make by forcing your breath out when your lips are closed :
a shrill whistle
—see also wolf whistle
4.
the high loud sound produced by air or steam being forced through a small opening, or by sth moving quickly through the air
5.
a piece of equipment that makes a high loud sound when air or steam is forced through it :
The train whistle blew as we left the station.
a factory whistle
•
IDIOMS
see blow verb , clean adjective
■ verb
1.
to make a high sound or a musical tune by forcing your breath out when your lips are closed :
[ vn ]
to whistle a tune
[ v ]
He whistled in amazement.
The crowd booed and whistled as the player came onto the field.
She whistled to the dog to come back.
2.
[ v ] to make a high sound by blowing into a whistle :
The referee whistled for a foul.
3.
[ v ] ( of a kettle or other machine ) to make a high sound :
The kettle began to whistle.
The microphone was making a strange whistling sound.
4.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to move quickly, making a high sound :
The wind whistled down the chimney.
A bullet whistled past his ear.
5.
[ v ] ( of a bird ) to make a high sound
•
IDIOMS
- sb can whistle for sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English (h)wistlian (verb), (h)wistle (noun), of Germanic origin; imitative and related to Swedish vissla to whistle.