wail
/weɪl/ noun C2- A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish. · She let out a loud, doleful wail.
- Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl. · The wail of snow-dark winter winds.· A bird's wail in the night.
- A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.
Plural wails
From the library
From the far north they heard a low wail of the wind, and Uncle Henry and Dorothy could see where the long grass bowed in waves before the coming storm.
The long-drawn wail of two old boughs rubbing against each other brought out the perspiration in beads on her forehead.
The droning sound swelled louder upon our ears until it became one long, deep wail of distress.
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