catcalling

noun

cat·​call·​ing ˈkat-ˌkȯ-liŋ 

1

: the act of shouting harassing and often sexually suggestive, threatening, or derisive comments at someone publicly

Though I seldom witness catcalling or verbal harassment, I've come to understand how constant and burdensome it can be for women, especially when the words used are crude, violent, or degrading.

—Conor Friedersdorf

Those in favor of making catcalling illegal in the U.S. argue that sexual harassment should be prohibited on the street, just as it's (ideally) banned in American workplaces and schools.

—Claire Zillman

2

: the act or an instance of loudly or raucously expressing disapproval (as at a sports event)

… no squealing or squawking will be tolerated from cricketers or officials in Australia. There can be no catcalling, no sharp remarks from the field …

—Peter Roebuck

Examples of catcalling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the late 1980s and 1990s, Montrose residents and visitors were subject to a variety of harassment and gay-bashing incidents, according to Holt, including homophobic catcalling, being followed, and having raw eggs and trash thrown at them from passing cars. —Brittanie Shey, Chron, 7 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2