referee whistle
Official's shrill signal
A referee whistle is a small handheld device blown to produce a loud, piercing sound that signals starts, stops, and violations during sporting events.
The classic design is a metal pea whistle, though pealess models have become standard for their reliability.
By extension, any sharp whistle used to control group activity: The counselor gave a blast on her referee whistle to get the kids' attention.
- blowMove air forcefully
- shrillHigh-pitched and harsh
- foulOffensive or illegal
- foul playCriminal or violent action
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
penalty kick · yellow card · stoppage · time out · sports · official · umpire · blast · tweet · silver · lanyard · pea · timeout · halftime · call · game · pitch · signal
- whistles
- noisemakersnoisemaker, air horn, bell, buzzer, kazoo
- sports gearbasketball, baseball, football, soccer ball, volleyball
- stadium soundscheering, booing, chanting, clapping, applause
- racket sportsserve, volley, forehand, backhand, doubles
- fipple flutesrecorder, flageolet, soprano recorder, ocarina
referee whistlestarting gun
Race-initiating firearm
green flag · playing on · continuous play · kickoff · tip-off
referee whistlecrowd roar
Loud audience noise
silence · cheering · applause · goal horn · victory bell
referee, whistle, refereed, refereeing, referees, refer, reference, referent, referential