Definitions

1. noun

a wild animal that howls, especially a wolf, or a loud, shrill cry.

“The howler of a wolf in the forest startled the hikers.”

2. noun

a machine that produces a loud, shrill cry, especially one used to test the sensitivity of a hearing aid.

“The audiologist used a howler to calibrate the hearing aid.”

3. noun

a tropical tree or shrub with large leaves and loud, howling calls when in flower.

“The howler tree produces beautiful flowers, but its loud calls are a nuisance.”

4. verb

to utter a loud, shrill cry, especially as a wolf does.

“The dog howled at the siren.”

5. verb

to make a loud, shrill noise, especially as a machine or a tropical tree does.

“The wind howled through the trees.”