whine

verb

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\ ˈhwīn

, ˈwīn \

whined; whining

Definition of whine

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to utter a high-pitched plaintive or distressed cry

b : to make a sound similar to such a cry the wind whined in the chimney

2 : to complain with or as if with a whine always whining about the weather

3 : to move or proceed with the sound of a whine the bullet whined … across the ice— Berton Roueché

transitive verb

: to utter or express with or as if with a whine

whine

noun

Definition of whine (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a prolonged high-pitched cry usually expressive of distress or pain

b : a sound resembling such a cry

2 : a complaint uttered with or as if with a whine

Other Words from whine Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about whine

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Examples of whine in a Sentence

Verb He's always whining about the weather. Quit whining and finish your dinner. “I want to leave now,” she whined. The workers were whining that the office was too cold. The dog was whining because it wanted to go out. The electric saw whined as it cut through the wood. Noun the whine of a jet engine the perennial whine that movies aren't as good as they used to be

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Wall also T'd up Griffin when the Pistons forward whined about a no-call after making a 3-pointer. — Dana Gauruder, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons get reinforcements, but they're no match vs. Raptors in 112-99 loss," 19 Dec. 2019 After Philip whines on American television that his wife isn’t paid enough, the British press attacks him mercilessly. — Rachel Syme, The New Republic, "The Dramatic Detachment of The Crown," 12 Dec. 2019 Winches whined as the hangar rolled back, and the sub was moved along tracks and then out of its cradle, pinning it against a bumper at the stern of the ship. — Susan Casey, Outside Online, "One Man's Wild Quest to Reach the Bottom of Every Ocean," 22 Oct. 2019 One day, the pup was whining at the front door and started pacing back and forth. — Hilary Shenfeld, PEOPLE.com, "Dog Learning to Talk By Using a Custom Soundboard to Speak: 'I'm in Constant Amazement'," 4 Nov. 2019 Howard had just whined his way into a second technical foul and an ejection. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Dwight Howard’s actions will speak louder than words in second chance with Lakers," 4 Sep. 2019 Today: young Americans whine about people making mean jokes about them on YouTube and demand censorship. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Americans Can't Admit Concentration Camps Exist in the U.S. Because They're Shameless," 20 June 2019 The pitchers whining over the past several weeks has been instructive. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty: The Reds swept the Astros… are we beginning to believe in David Bell?," 19 June 2019 Ziering gamely takes the biggest hit, playing a self-promoting blowhard who walks around whining about the post-#MeToo culture. — Emily Nussbaum, The New Yorker, "The Niche Celebrity Satire of “BH90210”," 2 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The whine became a constant, annoying soundtrack to his walks. — Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, "Why Everything Is Getting Louder," 8 Oct. 2019 The barrier is designed to deaden any artificial noise that might rumble across the seascape, such as blasts of the ship's horn and the whine of snowmobiles and nearby electronics. — Shannon Hall, Science | AAAS, "How to erase a ship—Arctic researchers work to eliminate their vessel’s fingerprints," 13 Nov. 2019 George Psarras’ sound design goes for naturalistic crowd and athletic field noises in lieu of music, though one dramatic nighttime scene, starkly lit by Mary Baronitis, makes striking use of heartbeat sounds, breathing and the whine of electricity. — Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: ‘The Wolves’ scores in surprising ways at City Lights in San Jose," 24 Sep. 2019 Rely on deeds and accomplishments rather than whines and complaints. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Could case be made for James Johnson as missing piece?," 29 Oct. 2019 And his voice—almost indescribable: a bracing, off-dry white whine. — Wesley Stace, WSJ, "‘Siren Song’ Review: An Ear for What Was Next," 14 June 2018 While other 9-speeds have gotten off to shaky starts, Chevy’s does the job without whine or hesitation, almost as unnoticeable as an automatic can be. — Robert Duffer, chicagotribune.com, "2018 Chevrolet Traverse offers up minivan function in SUV form," 25 Oct. 2017 My dad could hear the fire's approach, a sound like the high whine of a jet engine. — Smith Henderson, Popular Mechanics, "You Could Live Here Alone Forever," 11 Jan. 2017 Following Formula E's debut four years ago, plenty of auto enthusiasts saw the circuit as a fool's errand—surely motorsports fans raised on the roar of internal combustion would never love the zip and whine of electric cars rounding a track. — Matthew Jancer, Popular Mechanics, "This Is the Year Electric Car Racing Gets Real," 11 Dec. 2018

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

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Last Updated

25 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Whine.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whine. Accessed 19 January 2020.

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More Definitions for whine

whine

verb

English Language Learners Definition of whine

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to complain in an annoying way

: to make a high, crying sound

: to make a high and unpleasant sound that continues for a long time

whine

noun

English Language Learners Definition of whine (Entry 2 of 2)

: a high and unpleasant sound that continues for a long time

See the full definition for whine in the English Language Learners Dictionary

whine

verb

\ ˈhwīn

, ˈwīn \

whined; whining

Kids Definition of whine

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to make a high-pitched troubled cry or a similar sound He was so eager to join her I could hear him whining as he swam.— Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows

2 : to complain by or as if by whining “I always get blamed,” she whined.