whine

verb

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\ ˈ(h)wīn

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

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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb If any of them would whine or cry or bark the moose would trample them. — Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 7 Mar. 2022 Turning these pages is like watching an old man dust his Hummel figurines and whine about the neighbors. — Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022 While runners regularly take themselves past their comfort zone in training, everyone seems to whine about how uncomfortable heat makes them. — Allie Burdick, Outside Online, 13 July 2020 That's what these -- Democrats whine too much, Chuck. — NBC News, 16 Jan. 2022 That’s why some forward-thinking oil companies have warmed to biofuels, as the editorial board acknowledges, while unprofitable refineries whine because biofuels take away market share. — WSJ, 22 Dec. 2021 Democratic moderates whine about wanting to pass the infrastructure bill right away and put off the health, education and childcare package for later. — Paul Begala, CNN, 12 Oct. 2021 It’s not just his game, which appears borrowed from the guy at the YMCA who doesn’t talk trash and doesn’t whine about foul calls but who never, ever loses. — Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 11 Nov. 2021 Employee resource groups have come a long way from mainly hosting networking events where members could wine and whine—as critics sarcastically described them. — Joann S. Lublin, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The fake shift integration helped with the continuous whine that normal CVTs exude, but don’t be fooled. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 16 Apr. 2022 The heavy, sweaty air stirs and an otherworldly organ whine rises above the audience roar. — Karen Schoemer, SPIN, 1 May 2022 With the press of a green button, Sam Bruneau’s snowmobile sprung silently to life and took off at a low whine. — Tik Root, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Feb. 2022 Ventilation systems are limited to sets of fans at either end that do little except whine above the engine noise. — New York Times, 3 Apr. 2022 The steering was immediate, even for a race car, the grip was immense and the acceleration was perpetually good for a wallop in the back, even as the near-silent motor was outshouted by gearbox whine that filled the tiny yet airy cockpit. — Sam Smith, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2022 The meandering whine of the supercharger sounds like there is a shortwave radio behind the seats. — Dan Neil, WSJ, 11 Mar. 2022 The onstage Ball, the chess master of comic timing with the rubbery face and the first-rate whine, shows up in micro-spurts. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2021 As the storm abated in Northern California on Monday, Oct. 25, the sound of drumming rain was replaced by the buzzsaw-like whine of jet skis. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 19 Nov. 2021 See More

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.

Learn More About whine

Dictionary Entries Near whine

whindle

whine

whing

Statistics for whine

Last Updated

1 Apr 2022

Cite this Entry

“Whine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whine. Accessed 21 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for whine

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.