wailing
n. uncountablen. a long, high cry of pain, grief, or anger. It is a sound people make when they are very sad or hurt.
n. a prolonged, high-pitched vocalisation of grief, pain, or distress. Often associated with mourning or intense physical suffering.
The wailing of the wind kept me awake all night.
The distant wailing of an ambulance siren grew louder as it approached the busy intersection.
The air was filled with the mournful wailing of the bereaved, a sound that echoed through the narrow streets of the village long after the procession had passed.
From wail + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often used with the definite article 'the' or as a gerund-like noun describing a continuous sound.
Last updated May 8, 2026