wheeze

1 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wēz 

wheezed; wheezing

intransitive verb

1

: to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound

2

: to make a sound resembling that of wheezing

the bellows wheezed

wheeze

2 of 2

noun

1

: a sound of wheezing

2

a

: an often repeated and widely known joke used especially by entertainers

b

: a trite saying or proverb

Synonyms

Verb

• gasp
• pant

Examples of wheeze in a Sentence

Verb

He was up all night hacking and wheezing.

The car's motor wheezed and stalled.

Noun

Between gasps and wheezes, he tried to explain what had happened.

the wheeze of an engine

We can count on him for a good wheeze.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In January of last year, DeSantis’ wheezing presidential campaign reported a payment of $2,300 for rent. —Ana Ceballos, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2025

At the same time, there are other conditions that can present with allergy-like symptoms, and at high enough concentrations, even people without allergies will wheeze. —Umair Irfan, Wired News, 5 Apr. 2025

Noun

Like the sound of a false leg, upon which every step becomes a little wheeze. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025

Meanwhile, their power play continued to sputter and wheeze, going 0 for 4 as part of a 2-for-34 funk. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English whesen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hvæsa to hiss; akin to Old English hwǣst action of blowing, Sanskrit śvasiti he blows, snorts

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wheeze

• bees
• bes
• breeze
• cheese
• crees
• crise
• deas
• dees
• ease
• fees
• fleas
• flees

Kids Definition

wheeze

1 of 2 verb

ˈhwēz 

ˈwēz

wheezed; wheezing

1

: to breathe with difficulty especially with a whistling sound

2

: to make a sound like wheezing

wheeze

2 of 2 noun

: a wheezing sound

Medical Definition

wheeze

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈhwēz  ˈwēz 

wheezed; wheezing

: to breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound

wheeze

2 of 2 noun

: a sibilant whistling sound caused by difficult or obstructed respiration