ULULATION Definition & Meaning

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ululation

[ uhl-yuh-ley-shuhn, yool- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a long, high-pitched trilling sound resembling a howl, or the act of making such a sound, as to express grief or joy or as part of a musical performance:
I particularly liked how her sharp ululation, like a battle cry, punctuated one of the songs on the album.
the howling of a dog or wolf, or the hooting of an owl:
A low moan rose swiftly to a high and mournful ululation as the wolf serenaded the round, perfect moon.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of ululation¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin �ܱ��ܱ��پ�ō��-, stem of �ܱ��ܱ��پ�ō, equivalent to �ܱ��ܱ��(�ܲ�) + -��ō -ion ( def ); ululate ( def )

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Example Sentences

A speaker who toasted his hope of celebrating next year’s Christmas in Jerusalem in a “free Palestine” prompted ululations.

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American fusion dancers use the facial markings of Indigenous North African tribes and traditional high-pitched ululations.

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Her style here can seem of a piece with industrial and death metal music of the period, but then suddenly swerves into folk keening and ululation.

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Eventually, as guitar and muted trumpet intensified with ululations and drums, he shared his thoughts about the meaning of “we” and everyone’s complicity in injustice.

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You could hear Philip Glass’s “Music in 12 Parts” at Leo Castelli Gallery, or Meredith Monk’s a cappella ululations at the Walker Art Center.

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