: a sharp shrill bark or cry (as of a dog or turkey)
also
: squeal
yelped; yelping; yelps
: to utter a sharp quick shrill cry
dogs yelp
: to utter with a yelp
Synonyms
Examples of yelp in a Sentence
Verb
The dog yelped in pain.
yelped with surprise when everything fell off the closet shelf and onto his head
Recent Examples on the Web
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Sep. 2024
As their feet trot toward the center of the room, Mr. Laverty lets out a yelp of joy, for what is work without play?
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2024
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 June 2024
Be Ready for Bulls That Come in Quietly Every gobbler that a turkey hunter yelps to doesn’t come on the run, double-gobbling.
—Chad Schearer, Outdoor Life, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for yelp 
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Noun
My Method Actor scatters luminous beads of sound design into a writhing body of hooks and vocal lines—sometimes murmured, others chanted, all interspersed with that trademark Yanya flourish that sounds like a sigh rising to a yelp.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Sep. 2024
As their feet trot toward the center of the room, Mr. Laverty lets out a yelp of joy, for what is work without play?
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2024
Verb
Promptly, Danielle slams her drink against the side of Jen’s neck, at which everybody yelps and jumps in to stop things from getting worse.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 June 2024
Be Ready for Bulls That Come in Quietly Every gobbler that a turkey hunter yelps to doesn’t come on the run, double-gobbling.
—Chad Schearer, Outdoor Life, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for yelp
Dictionary Entries Near yelp
Cite this Entry
“Yelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yelp. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
yelp
1 of 2 noun
: a sharp quick shrill bark or cry
the yelps of turkeys
yelp
2 of 2 verb
: to utter a yelp or a similar sound
he yelped in pain
heard the dog yelping again
yelper
noun
Etymology
Noun
Middle English yelpen "to boast, cry out," from Old English gielpan "to boast, exult"
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