# squeak

/ˈskwik/ (US) · /skwˈiːk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/squeak
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a very high-pitched, sharp sound that is often annoying. You might hear this when a wheel is out of alignment or when a door is closing too fast.

For teachers: a high-pitched, sharp, and often irritating sound. In a military or technical context, it can refer to a specific noise indicating a mechanical fault or a signal from a device.

## Examples

- The squeak of the old chair woke me up.
- The pilot heard a loud squeak from the landing gear just before the plane touched down.
- The technician identified a high-pitched squeak as the primary indicator of the bearing's impending failure, allowing for a timely maintenance intervention before a full breakdown occurred.

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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.