squawk

Plural: squawks

Noun

• the noise of squawking
  • "she awoke to the squawk of chickens"
  • "the squawk of car horns"
• informal terms for objecting
• A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird. If made by a bird, it typically signals discomfort or anger; a yell, scream, or call.
• A four-digit transponder code used by aircraft for identification or transmission of emergency signals.
• A complaint or objection.
• An issue or complaint related to aircraft maintenance.
• The American night heron.
• A warning message indicating a possible error.

Verb

Verb Forms: squawked, squawking, squawks

• To utter a loud, harsh, unpleasant cry.
• utter a harsh abrupt scream
• complain
• To make a squawking noise; to yell, scream, or call out shrilly.
• To speak out; to protest.
• To report an infraction; to rat on or tattle; to disclose a secret.
• To produce a warning message, indicating a possible error.
• To set or transmit a four-digit transponder code. (Normally followed by the specific code in question.)
• To back out in a mean way.

Examples

• After discovering that the hydraulic system is faulty, the pilots squawked 7700 and declared mayday.
• He let out a triumphant SQUAWK after playing a seven-letter word across a triple word score.

Synonyms

beef, bellyache, bitch, crab, gripe, grouse, holler, kick, screak, screech, skreak, skreigh

Anagrams of squawk