wails; wailed; wailing
1
: to make a loud, long cry of sadness or pain
The child started wailing after she stumbled and fell.
2
: to make a long, high sound
A saxophone wailed in the background.
We could hear a siren wailing. = We could hear the wailing of a siren.
3
: to complain in a loud voice
"No! I don't want to go!" he wailed.
She wailed that the vacation was ruined.
plural wails
1
: a long cry of sadness or pain
a wail of sadness/despair
2
: a long, high sound
the wail of a siren
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/wail. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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