squeal

1 of 2

verb

squealed; squealing; squeals

intransitive verb

1
: to make a shrill cry or noise
2
a
: to turn informer
squeal to the police

transitive verb

1
: to express with or as if with a squeal
2
: to cause to make a loud shrill noise
squealing the tires
squealer noun

squeal

2 of 2

noun

: a shrill sharp cry or noise

Examples of squeal in a Sentence

Verb The car squealed to a stop. He squealed the tires and drove off. She squealed to the teacher. “Let me go,” she squealed. Noun She heard the pig's squeals.
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.
Verb
One day, when the cat in our local bodega poked its head out of the store, Ellie squealed like a child. Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025 So many sounds emerge, subtle things: drills, squealing, buzzing, vocal loops, along with guitar solos, shimmering guitar melodies, riffs, accents, and additional, complimentary guitar lines draped on top of each other. Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
Barrymore squeals in disgust after reaching into her pocket and pulling out a sandwich. Shyla Watson, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024 At the corner of St. Peter and Royal Streets, a tuba begins its rumbling and a trombone squeals; the instruments sparkle in the sunlight, glinting gold amid a gathering crowd. Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for squeal 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English squelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1747, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near squeal

Cite this Entry

“Squeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeal. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

squeal

1 of 2 verb
1
: to make a long shrill cry or noise
2
a
: inform sense 2
squealed to the teacher
3
: to utter with or as if with a squeal
squealer noun

squeal

2 of 2 noun
: a long shrill cry or noise

More from Merriam-Webster on squeal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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