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

Examples of honk in a Sentence

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

Nationwide, volunteers are being trained not only to honk horns and blow whistles to warn anyone in earshot immigration agents are present but also to document the actions of federal officers. —Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026

Kelly Fulton, a mom in south Minneapolis, says her 9-year-old daughter was at a playdate last week on the other side of the block when the other mom texted her a video of immigration officers surrounding a car while protesters whistled and honked. —Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026

Noun

The louder and longer the honks, the louder the cheering grew. —Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Rodney showed up shortly after the intruder left Morgan stayed put on the deck with the pillowcase over her head and never heard the two car honks. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for honk

• bonk
• bronk
• cronk
• tonk

Kids Definition

honk

noun

ˈhäŋk, 

ˈhȯŋk

: the cry of a goose

also : a similar sound (as of a horn)

honk verb