honk

1 of 2

verb

ˈhäŋk How to pronounce honk (audio)
ˈhȯŋk
honked; honking; honks

intransitive verb

1
: to make the characteristic cry of a goose
2
: to make a sound resembling the cry of a goose

transitive verb

: to cause to honk
honk a horn

honk

2 of 2

noun

: the characteristic cry of a goose
also : a similar sound

Examples of honk in a Sentence

Verb We could hear the geese honking overhead. I honked at the car in front of me. Noun the honk of a horn
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
As surely as there are two sports fans on barstools and Stephen A. Smith is honking into a mic, there will be a debate whether Shohei Ohtani will go down as the greatest baseball player ever. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 To those who honked their horn, Novreske would point back. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
First came a recorded honk from an unpartnered male goose named Joshua. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Next came a honk that was lower in pitch than the first, with a slight bray. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for honk

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1813, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of honk was in 1813

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Honk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honk. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

honk

noun
ˈhäŋk,
ˈhȯŋk
: the cry of a goose
also : a similar sound (as of a horn)
honk verb

More from Merriam-Webster on honk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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