: 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
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
Scott Einsmann, Outdoor Life, 12 Feb. 2025
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 97th Oscars this morning, and as usual, there were yelps of joy throughout the land: Viva Anora!
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
At the Superdome, the final word was replaced with a man yelping.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for yelp
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Noun
Most people know what a yelp sounds like, but probably not all the subtlety within a series of yelps.
—Scott Einsmann, Outdoor Life, 12 Feb. 2025
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 97th Oscars this morning, and as usual, there were yelps of joy throughout the land: Viva Anora!
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
After more than an hour of bargaining, the man momentarily snatched the dog back, causing the puppy to yelp.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
At the Superdome, the final word was replaced with a man yelping.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for yelp
Cite this Entry
“Yelp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yelp. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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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