howl

verb \ ˈhau̇(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

Examples: howl in a Sentence

Definition of howl

howled; howling; howls

intransitive verb

1 : to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family

2 : to cry out loudly and without restraint under strong impulse (such as pain, grief, or amusement)

3 : to go on a spree or rampage

transitive verb

1 : to utter with unrestrained outcry

2 : to drown out or cause to fail by adverse outcry —used especially with down

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howl

noun

See howl defined for English-language learners

See howl defined for kids

Examples of howl in a Sentence

The dogs were howling at the moon.
several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down

Recent Examples of howl from the Web

In April, 1931, a stout ship that had endured howling gales, towering waves and the press of polar ice tied up at a Potomac River dock alongside the boats that took sightseers to Mount Vernon and the Marshall Hall amusement park.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "In 1931, Washington tourists could visit Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic flagship," 12 May 2018
The internet howled with laughter as a result, and the NBA looked ridiculous for trying to impose the ban.

— tim bontemps, chicagotribune.com, "NBA draft's winners and losers: Mavericks, Adrian Wojnarowski, Michael Porter Jr. and more," 22 June 2018
The crowd howled as his caddy put his wedge back in Murray's seemingly-50-year-old bag.

— peter dawson, star-telegram, "It's in the hole! Bill Murray wins over the crowd at Colonial once again | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 23 May 2018
Critics howled that Rice’s commission had failed to address the key problem in college sports: that everyone but the players increasingly benefits from the billions of dollars generated.

— rachel bachman, WSJ, "Condoleezza Rice: College Players Should Benefit From Names," 10 May 2018
Democrats howled when Conroy was forced out, charging that a November prayer regarding the GOP tax bill that upset many Republicans was behind the move.

— Fox News, "Ryan meets with House chaplain he ousted, then reinstated," 8 May 2018
By the time dinner was ready, attendees were gamely howling along — coyote-like — with the shaman.

— adam tschorn, latimes.com, "Darren Criss, Paris Jackson and a stunt shaman decamp to the desert to celebrate Dior Sauvage Eau de Parfum," 13 Apr. 2018
Democrats howled that Republicans had hijacked their bill, saying armed guards can’t prevent school shootings and Republicans would take stronger action if people were dying from measles.

— Washington Post, "Wisconsin GOP takes over gun bill from Democrats," 20 Feb. 2018
While many descend upon Fiesta Island during the tournament to howl at the team names, ogle Miss Emerson candidates and consume beer, there are athletes — many of them — who take the softball seriously.

— don norcross, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego couple puts it all on the line for Over-The-Line," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'howl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of howl

Middle English houlen; akin to Middle High German hiulen to howl

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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howl Synonyms

HOWL Defined for English Language Learners

howl

verb

Definition of howl for English Language Learners

of a dog, wolf, etc. : to make a long, loud cry that sounds sad
of the wind : to make a long, loud sound
: to cry out loudly in pain, anger, amusement, etc.

HOWL Defined for Kids

howl

verb \ ˈhau̇l \

Definition of howl for Students

howled; howling

1 : to make a loud long mournful cry or sound

Wolves howled at the moon.

Wind was howling through the trees.

2 : to cry out loudly (as with pain or amusement) The audience howled with laughter.

howl

noun

Definition of howl for Students

1 : a loud long mournful sound made by dogs and related animals (as wolves)

2 : a long loud cry (as of distress, disappointment, or rage)

A howl … of dismay went up from the creatures …
—C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Learn More about howl

See words that rhyme with howl Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for howl Spanish Central: Translation of howl Nglish: Translation of howl for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of howl for Arabic speakers

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Examples of howl in a Sentence

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HOWL Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of howl for English Language Learners

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