1. to cry loudly with a long, high sound, especially because of pain or sadness
2. to make a long, high sound

1. a long, loud cry of pain, sadness, or distress
2. a long, high sound

Examples

• The baby began to wail when her mother left the room.
• She wailed in grief at the funeral.
• The wind wailed through the trees during the storm.
• The siren wailed as the ambulance raced through the streets.
• A wail of despair escaped from the crowd.
• The wail of the bagpipes echoed across the hills.
• We heard the wail of coyotes in the distance.