whistling

noun

whis·​tling ˈ(h)wi-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce whistling (audio)
Synonyms of whistlingnext
: the act or sound of one that whistles : whistle

Examples of whistling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The calliope's whistling is said to be heard as much as five miles away on clear days. — Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025 The shop foreman has taken multiple test drives and acknowledged the whistling. — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 13 Feb. 2026 Hill's faint whistling can be heard in the background, hinting that the time loop may be far from broken, and Hill may not be gone after all. — Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 30 July 2025 Ed Masley Spaghetti Western guitars and whistling set the tone for Chayce Beckham’s performance. — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whistling

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whistling was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing whistling

Browse Nearby Words

whistlewood
whistling
whistling arrow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whistling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whistling. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on whistling

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whistling

Nglish: Translation of whistling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All