bleat

1 of 2

verb

ˈblēt How to pronounce bleat (audio)
Northern also
ˈblat How to pronounce bleat (audio)
Southern usually
ˈblāt How to pronounce bleat (audio)
bleated; bleating; bleats

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make the natural cry of a sheep or goat
also : to utter a similar sound
b
2
a
: to talk complainingly or with a whine
b

transitive verb

: to utter in a bleating manner
bleater noun

bleat

2 of 2

noun

1
: the cry of a sheep or goat
also : a similar sound
the bleat of a cell phone
2
: a feeble outcry, protest, or complaint

Examples of bleat in a Sentence

Verb The lamb bleated as I approached. “But why can't I go?” she bleated. The labor union is always bleating about the management. Noun a very patient, understanding person who accepts life's inconveniences without a bleat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In turn, Bao Li — the social one, the zoo noted — happily bleated back. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 20 May 2025 Sheep were bleating, kicking, and being hurled in all directions. Cyril E. Holland, Outdoor Life, 8 May 2025
Noun
The jarring bleat came across cellphones in Tennessee Monday morning grabbing peoples attention. Liz Kellar, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 This pageant of puppetry includes a flutter of butterflies, a goat with a plaintive bleat, a menagerie of wild animals and, at one point, a school of glowing fish. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bleat

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English bleten, from Old English blǣtan; akin to Latin flēre to weep, Old English bellan to roar — more at bellow

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bleat was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bleat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bleat. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

bleat

1 of 2 verb
1
: to utter a bleat or similar sound
2
: to speak in a bleating way

bleat

2 of 2 noun
: the characteristic cry of a sheep or goat

More from Merriam-Webster on bleat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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