honk

1 of 2

verb

ˈhäŋk 

ˈhȯŋk

honked; honking; honks

intransitive verb

1

: to make the characteristic cry of a goose

2

: to make a sound resembling the cry of a goose

transitive verb

: to cause to honk

honk a horn

honk

2 of 2

noun

: the characteristic cry of a goose

also : a similar sound

Example Sentences

Verb

We could hear the geese honking overhead.

I honked at the car in front of me.

Noun

the honk of a horn

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The only honking is that of Canadian geese, mixed with the trill of bird calls and patter of the garden fountain. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023

According to a video from writer Brittani Nichols of a construction-traffic message board outside the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles, someone wanted to make that abundantly clear to drivers passing by the picket lines, who’ve been honking to show support. —Vulture, 11 May 2023

The woman, who would only identify herself as Julie, said Garcia was always friendly, waving and honking his horn. —Jake Bleiberg, ajc, 8 May 2023

In the weeks leading up to the holiday — which this year begins on Friday — shopping districts in Gaza were packed, with seasonal religious music just audible over the din of shoppers and honking horns. —Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2023

Witnesses told local media the truck driver honked the vehicle's horn repeatedly before the crash. —Evelyne Musambi, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023

Protesters outside city hall held up signs and passing motorists honked their horns in support. —Warren Kulo | [e-mail], al, 24 Mar. 2023

This agreement will shape Louisville, LMPD response to Department of Justice report People gathered at the park — where the basketball court has a mural of Taylor — and met with other supporters that either honked their car horns or put their fists in the air. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 11 Mar. 2023

For months, Frankie, who’s around 3 years old, searched for Gretel around the farm, honking and staying outside his shed at night. —Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023

Noun

Disturbing the peace outside of studios is kind of the whole point of the picket line, and for some WGA supporters, the honks are melodious — and a good reminder of their end goal: Make the studios listen and acknowledge the WGA’s demands. —Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 May 2023

My stress levels were so high that something as harmless as the honk of a car horn could send my heart rate to outer space. —Brad Stulberg, Outside Online, 7 Mar. 2018

Strike captains worked hard to cajole those who drove on to the property to give up a honk — and some did. —William Earl, Variety, 8 May 2023

The rare honk is usually meant to alert, not intimidate. —Tom Vanderbilt, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2019

And the crowd erupted in cheers as cars passed on Melrose Avenue, letting off a near-constant stream of supportive honks. —Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 4 May 2023

The 2023 Met Gala kicked off with a bang (and a few honks) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2023

Were the honks an oddly human show of irritation toward a tardy passenger? —Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2023

There’s one honk. —Keith Bierygolick, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1813, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

honk

noun

ˈhäŋk,

ˈhȯŋk

: the cry of a goose

also : a similar sound (as of a horn)

honk verb