yodel

1 of 2

verb

yo·​del ˈyō-dᵊl How to pronounce yodel (audio)
yodeled or yodelled; yodeling or yodelling ˈyōd-liŋ How to pronounce yodel (audio)
ˈyō-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to sing by suddenly changing from a natural voice to a falsetto and back
also : to shout or call in a similar manner

transitive verb

: to sing (a tune) by yodeling
yodeler
ˈyōd-lər How to pronounce yodel (audio)
ˈyō-dᵊl-ər
noun

yodel

2 of 2

noun

: a song or refrain sung by yodeling
also : a yodeled shout or cry

Examples of yodel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Performance by Mike Schneider Polka Band, a Milwaukee polka band 6:30 p.m. – Miss Oktoberfest Competition; competitors must be 21 or older, and categories include yodeling, stein hoisting, and a beer chug. Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024 Immerse yourself in traditional Oktoberfest revelry with authentic German music, brimming steins and tasty German delights, plus dance contests, stein-holding challenges, yodeling competitions and other festivities. Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
Noun
My voice just does that—a little tiny ghost of a yodel at the end of some lines. Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024 Reba's mother passed on the gift of yodel to the Queen of Country, who doesn't have to be asked twice to show off her skills. Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 27 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for yodel 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

German jodeln

First Known Use

Verb

1827, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yodel was in 1827

Dictionary Entries Near yodel

Cite this Entry

“Yodel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yodel. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

yodel

verb
yo·​del
ˈyōd-ᵊl
yodeled or yodelled; yodeling or yodelling
ˈyōd-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to sing while frequently going back and forth between the range of one's natural voice and a higher range
also : to shout or call in this manner
yodel noun
yodeler
ˈyōd-lər
-ᵊl-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on yodel

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