: 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
Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
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
Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
In three jumps and a couple of barks, the entire crowd of yelping dogs was up the opposite wall of the canyon and running strongly.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
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Noun
The yelps and shrieks of Drive seemed smothered as though his mouth was full of fur.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
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
Verb
Male turkeys gobble and strut, puffing out their feathers, to impress hens, who yelp and cluck in response.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
In three jumps and a couple of barks, the entire crowd of yelping dogs was up the opposite wall of the canyon and running strongly.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 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 12 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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