whistler

noun

whis·​tler ˈ(h)wi-s(ə-)lər 

: one that whistles: such as

a

: any of various birds

especially : any of numerous oscine birds (especially genus Pachycephala) found chiefly in Australia and South Pacific islands and having a whistling call

b

: a large marmot (Marmota caligata) of northwestern North America having a shrill alarm call

c

: a broken-winded horse

d

: a very-low-frequency radio signal that is generated by lightning discharge, travels along the earth's magnetic-field lines, and produces a sound resembling a whistle of descending pitch in radio receivers

Examples of whistler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not until 15 minutes after shooting light did the whistlers start pouring in. —Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025

Judith Eagle, The Stolen Songbird illustrated by Jo Rioux Walker Books US, December 2 recommended for ages 8-12 In 1950s London, young Caro Monday cares for her pet rabbit, His Nibs, and dreams of traveling the globe like her mother Jacinta, a world-famous whistler. —Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 1 Dec. 2025

See the whistlers mimicking birdsong on Vogelpfeifer whistles, test your strength at the Hau den Lukas strongman game and munch on the traditional Lebkuchen gingerbread cookies. —Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Watch on Deadline Away from TV, Gilliland was quite the whistler. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Geographical Definition

Whistler

geographical name

Whis·​tler ˈ(h)wi-s(ə-)lər 

municipality and resort noted for its ski slopes in the Coast Ranges of southern British Columbia, Canada population 9824

Biographical Definition

Whistler

biographical name

Whis·​tler ˈ(h)wi-slər 

James (Abbott) McNeill 1834–1903 American painter and etcher

Whistlerian

(h)wi-ˈslir-ē-ən 

adjective