whistling

[hwis-ling, wis-]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that whistles.

2. the sound produced.

3. Veterinary Pathology.,  a form of roaring characterized by a peculiarly shrill sound.

whistling

/ ˈwɪslɪŋ /

noun

1. vet science a breathing defect of horses characterized by a high-pitched sound with each intake of air Compare roaring

Word History and Origins

Origin of whistling¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English hwistlung. See whistle, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Some 29% of parents surveyed said their child has had wheezing or breath whistling in the past, most in the last 12 months.

From Los Angeles Times

Much elite political commentary of the last decade, with its talk of institutions and guardrails, is a species of whistling past the graveyard.

From Salon

This is the roof of the world where traffic gives way to yak herders on horseback whistling to reluctant, grunting cattle, as eagles circle above.

From BBC

"I heard something whistling, something flying, and I went outside," Tatyana, 52, recalls.

From BBC

A marine who lives near the crash site told Fox News he heard a "strange whistling wheezing noise" followed by a "boom and a shake in the house".

From BBC