English▸ noun a prolonged high-pitched cry of pain, grief, or anger:
Christopher let out a wail.
▪ a prolonged high-pitched sound:
the wail of an air-raid siren.
▸ verb [no object] utter a wail:
Tina ran off wailing
[with direct speech] ‘But why?’ she wailed.
▪ make a prolonged high-pitched sound:
the wind wailed and buffeted the timber structure.
▪ [with object] literary manifest or feel deep sorrow for; lament:
she wailed her wretched life.