noun / verb

toot

TOOT/tˈut/

A short sound from a horn or whistle, or making that sound.

One quick squeeze produces a short toot from the bulb horn.

A middle-aged Latino man gives a small handheld bulb horn one quick squeeze, illustrating a short toot.

Etymology

Toot originated in imitation of sound rather than from roots naming an action or object. Its early use already described the characteristic sound of a blown horn.

More examples

Two short toots from the whistle signal the game's start.
I toot the horn when I pull into the driveway.
The tugboat tooted as it passed the dock.

Forms

toot · toots · tooted · tooting

Similar words

honk: Usually suggests a louder, harsher sound from a vehicle horn.
beep: Often describes a short electronic signal rather than a horn.