bleat

1 of 2

verb

ˈblēt How to pronounce bleat (audio)
Northern also
ˈblat How to pronounce bleat (audio)
Southern usually
ˈblāt How to pronounce bleat (audio)
bleated; bleating; bleats

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make the natural cry of a sheep or goat
also : to utter a similar sound
b
2
a
: to talk complainingly or with a whine
b

transitive verb

: to utter in a bleating manner
bleater noun

bleat

2 of 2

noun

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

Verb The lamb bleated as I approached. “But why can't I go?” she bleated. The labor union is always bleating about the management. Noun a very patient, understanding person who accepts life's inconveniences without a bleat
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
Their bleating cry is as much the music of these green mountains as the shrill call of the oystercatchers, the Faroes' noisy national bird. Tim Ecott, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 May 2023 Danielle Brooks asks, speaking for all of us after a pink sheep bleats a greeting. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2024
Noun
Use calls, such as bleats, grunts, snort-wheezes, grunt-snort-wheezes, and more. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 24 Oct. 2024 While does and young deer utter a sheep-like bleat to communicate with each other, this sound is relatively quiet; under most conditions, these sounds are audible from only a short distance. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 28 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for bleat 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bleat was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bleat

Cite this Entry

“Bleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bleat. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bleat

1 of 2 verb
1
: to utter a bleat or similar sound
2
: to speak in a bleating way

bleat

2 of 2 noun
: the characteristic cry of a sheep or goat

More from Merriam-Webster on bleat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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