squeak

1 of 2

verb

squeaked; squeaking; squeaks

intransitive verb

1
: to utter or make a short shrill cry or noise
2
3
: to pass, succeed, or win by a narrow margin
just squeaked by in the election

transitive verb

: to utter in a shrill piping tone

squeak

2 of 2

noun

1
: a sharp shrill cry or sound
2
: escape
a close squeak
squeaky adjective

Examples of squeak in a Sentence

Verb I could hear the mouse squeaking. She squeaked when I pinched her. My shoes squeak when I walk. The wheel squeaks when it turns. He squeaked into office by fewer than 2,000 votes. “I can't believe it!” she squeaked. Noun She gave out a squeak.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
If squeaking is the issue, there are some simple solutions to look into as well. Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 3 May 2025 The full-length collection arrives at No. 40 on the Top Album Sales chart, barely squeaking onto the roster of bestsellers in the U.S. inside the top 40. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
And studies have shown that mice carrying human FOXP2 genes also make strange squeaks. Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 Juliana is one of those people who express positive emotions with a high-pitched squeak. Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squeak

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English squeken, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of squeak was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squeak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeak. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

squeak

1 of 2 verb
1
: to make a short shrill cry or noise
2
: to pass, succeed, or win by a narrow margin
barely squeaked by
3
: to utter in a shrill tone

squeak

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sharp shrill cry or sound
2
: escape entry 2 sense 1
a close squeak

More from Merriam-Webster on squeak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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