howl

verb

ˈhau̇(-ə)l 

howled; howling; howls

intransitive verb

1

: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family

2

: to cry out loudly and without restraint under strong impulse (such as pain, grief, or amusement)

3

: to go on a spree or rampage

transitive verb

1

: to utter with unrestrained outcry

2

: to drown out or cause to fail by adverse outcry

—used especially with down

howl noun

Synonyms

• bay
• keen
• ululate
• wail
• yowl

Examples of howl in a Sentence

The dogs were howling at the moon.

several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down

Recent Examples on the Web

Macron arrived shortly after the Associated Press and other journalists from outside were able to reach Mayotte to provide accounts from survivors of the horror over the weekend, when winds howled above 136 mph and peeled the roofs and walls from homes that collapsed around the people inside. —Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

When Democrats howled, Republicans reminded them of their own long history of power grabs. —Christopher Cooper / Made By History, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024

This behavior is thought to mimic how their ancestors howled together as a form of communication. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Ducati purists howled their displeasure at the change, but complaints faded away as the race wins - and showroom sales - quickly piled up. —William Roberson, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English houlen; akin to Middle High German hiulen to howl

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing howl

• howl with laughter

Kids Definition

howl

verb

ˈhau̇(ə)l 

1

: to make a long loud mournful sound like that of a dog

2

: to cry out loudly (as with pain, grief, or amusement)

howled in protest

howling with laughter

3

: to drown out or cause to fail by an outcry

howled down the opposition

howl noun