to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry, as that of a dog or wolf.
2.
to utter a similar cry in distress, pain, rage, etc.; wail.
3.
to make a sound like an animal howling:
The wind howls through the trees.
4.
Informal. to go on a spree; enjoy oneself without restraint.
verb (used with object)
5.
to utter with howls:
to howl the bad news.
6.
to drive or force by howls (often followed by down):
to howl down the opposition.
noun
7.
the cry of a dog, wolf, etc.
8.
a cry or wail, as of pain, rage, or protest.
9.
a sound like wailing:
the howl of the wind.
10.
a loud, scornful laugh or yell.
11.
something that causes a laugh or a scornful yell, as a joke or funny or embarrassing situation.
Origin
1300-50;Middle Englishhulen, houlen (v.); cognate with Dutchhuilen,Low Germanhülen,Germanheulen,Danishhyle; akin to Old Norseȳla
Related forms
outhowl, verb (used with object)
Examples from the web for howl
To the human ear, the long, drawn-out howl sounds lonesome and mournful.
It is a long and clear howl not interrupted by short yaps and barks.
Dogs are not allowed to habitually bark, howl, or yelp so as to disturb the peace of the neighborhood.
The call known as the wail is easily heard over long distances, sounding similar to a wolf's howl.
At dawn or dusk the coyote can be heard calling in a series of yelps followed by a long howl.
Look at all the discrimination directed against us, they howl.
Gray wolves, the largest canines, are known for their hierarchical social structure and iconic howl.
The picture speaks so clearly over the howl of the wind.
Bigger than coyotes but smaller than wolves, their howl is high-pitched and their diet includes deer and small rodents.
For many people, hearing coyotes howl in the distance is a beautiful experience.
British Dictionary definitions for howl
howl
/haʊl/
noun
1.
a long plaintive cry or wail characteristic of a wolf or hound
2.
a similar cry of pain or sorrow
3.
(slang)
a person or thing that is very funny
a prolonged outburst of laughter
4.
(electronics) an unwanted prolonged high-pitched sound produced by a sound-producing system as a result of feedback
verb
5.
to express in a howl or utter such cries
6.
(intransitive) (of the wind, etc) to make a wailing noise
7.
(intransitive) (informal) to shout or laugh
Word Origin
C14: houlen; related to Middle High German hiuweln, Middle Dutch hūlen, Danish hyle
Word Origin and History for howl
v.
early 13c., houlen, probably ultimately of imitative origin; similar formations are found in other Germanic languages. Related: Howled; howling. As a noun from 1590s.