bleat

verb \ ˈblēt , Northern also ˈblat , Southern usually ˈblāt \

Updated on: 31 Mar 2018

Definition of bleat

intransitive verb

1 a : to make the natural cry of a sheep or goat; also : to utter a similar sound

b : whimper

2 a : to talk complainingly or with a whine

b : blather

transitive verb

: to utter in a bleating manner

—

bleater

noun

See bleat defined for English-language learners

See bleat defined for kids

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

The lamb bleated as I approached.
“But why can't I go?” she bleated.
The labor union is always bleating about the management.

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

There have been at least 14 emergency alerts sent to cellphones over the past week, and those around the Olympic Park here received eight separate, bleating alerts on Wednesday alone.

— andrew keh, New York Times, "This Is Not a Drill: Another ‘Emergency’ Alert Is On Its Way," 14 Feb. 2018
There have been at least 14 emergency alerts sent to cellphones over the past week, and those around the Olympic Park here received eight separate, bleating alerts on Wednesday alone.

— author: andrew keh, Anchorage Daily News, "This is not a drill: Emergency cellphone alerts at the Winter Games become annoying," 14 Feb. 2018
Thus the bleating about how Republican worries over FISA abuse are just a smokescreen for discrediting Mueller’s investigation.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "‘Delegitimizing’ Mueller? Don’t Blame the Nunes Memo," 7 Feb. 2018
Speech ultimately seemed no more consequential than bleating or barking.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "In 'Doggie Hamlet,' a cast of canines, sheep and, yes, humans — ay, there's the rub," 5 Feb. 2018
Joe Anderson still bleating on about Ross Barkley's move to Chelsea.

— SI.com, "REVEALED: Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson's Calls for Police Investigation in Angry Ross Barkley Letter," 9 Jan. 2018
Meanwhile, the beat -- produced by Erick Sermon of EPMD, also a co-writer -- is practically a gag into itself, bleating and booming like a clown car on hydraulics.

— billboard staff, Billboard, "The 50 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Rap Stars," 21 Nov. 2017
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, nuns were recorded bleating like sheep, barking like dogs and meowing.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "How a Soap Opera Virus Felled Hundreds of Students in Portugal," 6 Mar. 2017
The four men smiled and chatted in the bleating Texas sun.

— Washington Post, "Two groups of men, deeply suspicious of each other, meet at a Dairy Queen – and bring their guns," 22 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bleat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bleat

Middle English bleten, from Old English blǣtan; akin to Latin flēre to weep, Old English bellan to roar — more at bellow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

bleat Synonyms

Phrases

kick up a fuss;

bleat

noun

Definition of bleat

1 : the cry of a sheep or goat; also : a similar sound

the bleat of a cell phone

2 : a feeble outcry, protest, or complaint

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

a very patient, understanding person who accepts life's inconveniences without a bleat

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

In an unseen orchestra that bleats and blares, an urgent trombone chorus heralds every leap into banality.

— joe morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Tomb Raider’ Review: Buried by Absurdity," 15 Mar. 2018
Not a sound from anywhere, save the occasional bleat from one of the Hansens' sheep.

— boris fishman, Smithsonian, "This Lake Is One of Montana’s Best Kept Secrets," 16 Aug. 2017
He's been front-page for months, every bleat, blurt, yelp, and belch.

— author: garrison keillor, Alaska Dispatch News, "Taking stock in the ordinary goodness of life," 6 Aug. 2017
And thanks to the generosity of some village residents, the sounds of those warning bleats from the trains that pass through will stop.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Rail at a crossroad: Glendale's quiet zone is on track," 29 Aug. 2017
Not a sound from anywhere, save the occasional bleat from one of the Hansens' sheep.

— boris fishman, Smithsonian, "This Lake Is One of Montana’s Best Kept Secrets," 16 Aug. 2017
Then no tax cuts either: Fans of 'goat yoga' move to a different bleat:

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Progressives revive attacks on Wall Street in health care's wake," 19 July 2017
The bleats have been long and loud in California since President Trump’s administration released its first proposed budget, one that won’t be finalized for several months.

— thomas d. elias, Orange County Register, "No surprise that Trump budget hits California hard," 30 May 2017
The gentle call of birds floated overhead, occasionally mixing with the goats’ bleats, as yogis laid out mats among the pygmies.

— emily chappell, Detroit Free Press, "Yoga lovers are finding their zen in a field of goats," 29 June 2017

First Known Use of bleat

1508

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

beef, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, lament, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, yammer;

Near Antonyms

commendation, compliment, plaudit;

acclaim, applause, praise;

approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction;

BLEAT Defined for English Language Learners

bleat

verb

Definition of bleat for English Language Learners

: to make the sound that a sheep or goat makes
: to speak or complain in an annoying way

BLEAT Defined for Kids

bleat

verb \ ˈblēt \

Definition of bleat for Students

bleated; bleating

: to make the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf

bleat

noun

Definition of bleat for Students

: the sound made by a sheep, goat, or calf

Learn More about bleat

See words that rhyme with bleat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bleat Spanish Central: Translation of bleat Nglish: Translation of bleat for Spanish speakers

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bleat

Definition of bleat

bleater

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bleat

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

bleat

Definition of bleat

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bleat from the Web

First Known Use of bleat

bleat Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

BLEAT Defined for English Language Learners

bleat

Definition of bleat for English Language Learners

BLEAT Defined for Kids

bleat

Definition of bleat for Students

bleat

Definition of bleat for Students

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