United States painter (1834-1903)
"The Whistler's Mother painting is perhaps the most famous work by the American artist James McNeill Whistler."
someone who makes a loud high sound
"The whistler blew a piercing note to signal the team's arrival from across the valley."
large North American mountain marmot
"The whistler climbed to the rocky summit to avoid the approaching storm."
large-headed swift-flying diving duck of Arctic regions
"The whistler dove rapidly into the icy waters to catch a fish."
Someone or something that whistles, or who plays a whistle as a musical instrument.
"The whistler in the band played a lively tune on his tin whistle during the intermission."
In plain English: A whistler is someone who makes music by blowing air through their lips to create a high-pitched sound.
"The whistler bird sang its sweet song in the trees during springtime."
Usage: A whistler is someone who produces a high-pitched sound by blowing air through their lips or an object, distinct from the act of playing a specific wind instrument like a flute. Use this term to describe both people making casual signals and musicians specializing in whistle-based instruments such as the Irish tin whistle.
A surname.
"The famous jazz musician known as Bill Whistler composed many classic tunes under that name."
The word "whistler" comes from Middle English and originally meant a person who played the flute or acted as a piper. It is formed by combining the word for "whistle" with a suffix that indicates an agent or doer.