wheeze

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wēz 

wheezed; wheezing

intransitive verb

1

: to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound

2

: to make a sound resembling that of wheezing

the bellows wheezed

wheeze

2 of 2

noun

1

: a sound of wheezing

2

a

: an often repeated and widely known joke used especially by entertainers

b

: a trite saying or proverb

Synonyms

Verb

• blow
• gasp
• heave
• hyperventilate
• pant
• puff

Examples of wheeze in a Sentence

Verb

He was up all night hacking and wheezing.

The car's motor wheezed and stalled.

Noun

Between gasps and wheezes, he tried to explain what had happened.

the wheeze of an engine

We can count on him for a good wheeze.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

By then, the eyes of the world will be focused on the U.S., where a far different presidential campaign will be wheezing to its end. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

The group ogled the glassy expanse of water and the snowcapped mountains beyond, and then got to inflating the kayaks, which slowly wheezed to life. —Meg Bernhard, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Noun

But when the 2020 wildfires started pumping thick plumes of ugly black smoke into the southern California sky, the 41-year-old Los Angeles resident began to wheeze. —Linda Carroll, TIME, 30 May 2024

But for those who sneeze, wheeze, and water as the world begins to bloom, pollen is a less-than-welcome companion to spring. —Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 8 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English whesen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hvæsa to hiss; akin to Old English hwǣst action of blowing, Sanskrit śvasiti he blows, snorts

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wheeze

1 of 2 verb

ˈhwēz 

ˈwēz

wheezed; wheezing

1

: to breathe with difficulty especially with a whistling sound

2

: to make a sound like wheezing

wheeze

2 of 2 noun

: a wheezing sound

Medical Definition

wheeze

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈhwēz  ˈwēz 

wheezed; wheezing

: to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound

wheeze

2 of 2 noun

: a sibilant whistling sound caused by difficult or obstructed respiration