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
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Here came Corgan, bleating a ballad that was genuinely moving, and people wanted to hear it.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
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
When Sneaky Snook in his mail truck happened upon the wreckage near the boundary of Meredith Downs, sheep were scattered along the roadside and the fence, bleating, dazed.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Here came Corgan, bleating a ballad that was genuinely moving, and people wanted to hear it.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
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 11 Mar. 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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