wail
wail /w'eɪl/ (wails wailing wailed)
1 [VERB] V, V for n
If someone wails, they make long, loud, high-pitched cries which express sorrow or pain.
The women began to wail in mourning.
...a mother wailing for her lost child.
[N-COUNT] oft N of n
Wail is also a noun.
Wails of grief were heard as visitors filed past the site of the disaster.
2 [VERB] V with quote, V that, also V about n
If you wail something, you say it in a loud, high-pitched voice that shows that you are unhappy or in pain.
`Now look what you've done!' Shirley wailed...
Primrose, stupefied by tiredness, began to wail that she was hungry.
3 [VERB] V
If something such as a siren or an alarm wails, it makes a long, loud, high-pitched sound.
Police cars, their sirens wailing, accompanied the lorries...
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
Wail is also a noun.
The wail of the bagpipe could be heard in the distance.
● wailing [N-UNCOUNT]
Our artillery opened up and we heard a fearful wailing and screeching.
1 [VERB] V, V for n
If someone wails, they make long, loud, high-pitched cries which express sorrow or pain.
The women began to wail in mourning.
...a mother wailing for her lost child.
[N-COUNT] oft N of n
Wail is also a noun.
Wails of grief were heard as visitors filed past the site of the disaster.
2 [VERB] V with quote, V that, also V about n
If you wail something, you say it in a loud, high-pitched voice that shows that you are unhappy or in pain.
`Now look what you've done!' Shirley wailed...
Primrose, stupefied by tiredness, began to wail that she was hungry.
3 [VERB] V
If something such as a siren or an alarm wails, it makes a long, loud, high-pitched sound.
Police cars, their sirens wailing, accompanied the lorries...
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n
Wail is also a noun.
The wail of the bagpipe could be heard in the distance.
● wailing [N-UNCOUNT]
Our artillery opened up and we heard a fearful wailing and screeching.