bleated; bleating; bleats
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
: to utter in a bleating manner
bleater
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
James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
And when her furry black-and-white friend follows her — bleating at her heels, eager for more affection — Kusimayu keeps walking.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Dec. 2025
Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Dec. 2025
His tent grows dim, and sheep bleat for water outside.
—Arsalan Bukhari, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleat
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Verb
The man sitting in front of me—rugged, with a fine Rockwell Kent profile—tips forward and begins to emit gentle, bleating snores.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
And when her furry black-and-white friend follows her — bleating at her heels, eager for more affection — Kusimayu keeps walking.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Dec. 2025
Noun
Late that afternoon, Flint was sitting quietly against his tree and using a Primos can call to make bleats.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Dec. 2025
His tent grows dim, and sheep bleat for water outside.
—Arsalan Bukhari, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleat
Cite this Entry
“Bleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bleat. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bleat
1 of 2 verb1
: 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
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