screech

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 to make a loud high unpleasant sound; to say sth using this sound: [V] Monkeys were screeching in the trees. * The wind screeched in his ears. * screeching brakes * He screeched with pain. * [Vspeech] 'No, don't!' she screeched. * [VN] He screeched something at me. 2 [V] [usually +adv./prep.] (of a vehicle) to make a loud high unpleasant noise as it moves: The car screeched to a halt outside the hospital. * A police car screeched out of a side street. noun a loud high unpleasant cry or noise: a screech of brakes / tyres * She suddenly let out a screech.