[hwis-uh
l, wis-] 
verb, -tled, -tling, noun | 1. | to make a clear musical sound, a series of such sounds, or a high-pitched, warbling sound by the forcible expulsion of the breath through a small opening formed by contracting the lips, or through the teeth, with the aid of the tongue. |
| 2. | to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device. |
| 3. | to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do. |
| 4. | (of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like: This teakettle whistles when it boils. |
| 5. | to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind. |
| 6. | to produce by whistling: to whistle a tune. |
| 7. | to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling: He whistled his dog over. |
| 8. | to send with a whistling or whizzing sound. |
| 9. | an instrument for producing whistling sounds by means of the breath, steam, etc., as a small wooden or tin tube, a pipe, or a similar device with an air chamber containing a small ball that oscillates when air is forced through an opening, producing a high-pitched, warbling tone. |
| 10. | a sound produced by whistling: a prolonged whistle of astonishment. |
| 11. | a simple fipple flute. |
| 12. | whistle for, to demand or expect without success: After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money. |
| 13. | blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing: The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle. |
| 14. | blow the whistle on,
|
| 15. | wet one's whistle, Informal. to take a drink. |
| 16. | whistle in the dark, to attempt to summon up one's courage or optimism in a difficult situation: He says his business will improve next year, but he's probably just whistling in the dark. |