# screech

/ˈskɹitʃ/ (US) · /skɹˈiːtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/screech
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a piercing sound

noun · CEFR B2

a loud, high, and unpleasant noise, often made by something moving or rubbing against a surface.

For teachers: a high-pitched, strident, or piercing sound, typically produced by friction between a moving object and a surface.

- The car came to a stop with a loud screech of tyres on the wet road.
- The sudden screech of metal against metal echoed through the factory, signaling that the conveyor belt had finally jammed.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of' to describe the source, such as 'a screech of brakes'.

### 2. a high-pitched cry

noun · CEFR B2

a sharp, high-pitched cry made by a person or animal.

For teachers: a harsh, shrill vocalisation, often associated with acute pain, terror, or animalistic distress.

- An owl let out a piercing screech in the middle of the night.
- The silence of the woods was shattered by the screech of a hawk circling high above the valley.

### 3. to make a loud noise

verb · CEFR B2

to make a very high, loud, and unpleasant sound.

For teachers: to emit a high-pitched, piercing sound, whether vocally or through mechanical friction.

- The parrots in the pet shop started to screech as soon as we walked in.
- The subway train screeched to a halt at the platform, forcing the waiting passengers to cover their ears.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrasal construction 'screech to a halt'.

### 4. to move very fast

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to move very quickly, especially in a car, making a lot of noise.

For teachers: to travel at high speed, typically implying the sound of tyres or an engine under strain.

- The getaway car screeched around the corner and disappeared down a side street.
- The ambulance screeched through the intersection, its siren wailing as it fought through the heavy afternoon traffic.

Usage: Intransitive; often followed by a preposition of direction like 'around' or 'past'.

### 5. Newfoundland rum

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a famous, very strong type of rum from Newfoundland in Canada.

For teachers: a specific brand of high-alcohol-content dark rum associated with the culture of Newfoundland.

- During their trip to Canada, they tried a glass of Newfoundland screech at a local pub.
- The 'Screech-in' ceremony is a popular tradition for visitors to Newfoundland, involving a shot of the local rum and kissing a cod.

Usage: Uncountable; usually capitalized when referring to the specific brand.

## Examples

- The loud screech of the brakes made everyone jump.
- A sudden screech from the old wooden floor signaled that the house was settling into the cold winter night.
- The night was broken only by the occasional screech of an owl or the distant howl of a wolf, creating an atmosphere of eerie silence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.