chirp

1 of 2

verb

chirped; chirping; chirps
1
intransitive : to make a chirp or a sound resembling a chirp
chirping birds
… he had listened many times to the sound of grasshoppers chirping in the grass, and he had always liked the noise that they made.Roald Dahl
… Jesse Levine was luxuriating at home in Boca Raton last month when his cellphone chirped.L. Jon Wertheim
2
transitive : to utter (something) with a cheerful liveliness
She sang three songs … and chirped "Goodbye everybody! See you tomorrow!"Garrison Keillor
3
intransitive informal : to make sharply critical, complaining, or taunting remarks
Emotions boiled over for Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Josh Norman after the two chirped at each other consistently for two weeks.Ben Volin
After the fight, which McLeod more or less won, the two chirped at each other in the penalty box …USA Today
… some of his teammates chirped about the officiating …Jack McCallum

chirp

2 of 2

noun

: the characteristic short sharp sound especially of a small bird or insect

Examples of chirp in a Sentence

Verb The birds were chirping in the trees. We heard the crickets chirping.
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
His fun chirping with an OU lineman is, though. Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Her Cornish Rex cat, Rabbit, is sprawled out on the floor, unconcerned by the two birds (Chicken and Charlie) chirping from an adjacent office or a colleague’s gray-haired cat next door, who seems to be causing a stir. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Only the chirp of insects and the distant hum of a generator. David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025 Rodrigues and his teammates started the chirps on the bench. Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chirp

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chirp was in 1566

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chirp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chirp. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

chirp

verb
ˈchərp
: to make a short sharp sound like a small bird or cricket
chirp noun

More from Merriam-Webster on chirp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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