chirp

From Middle English *chirpen (attested only in the derivative Middle English chirpinge, cyrpynge, chyrypynge (“chipring”). Compare Middle English chirken and chirmen. More at chirk, chirm. Compare also Middle English chirten (“to smack, chirrup”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /tʃɜː(ɹ)p/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)p

chirp (plural chirps)

1. A short, sharp or high note or noise, as of a bird or insect.
2. (radar, sonar, radio telescopy etc.) A pulse of signal whose frequency sweeps through a band of frequencies for the duration of the pulse.

• downchirp
• upchirp

chirp (third-person singular simple present chirps, present participle chirping, simple past and past participle chirped)

1. (intransitive) to make a short, sharp, cheerful note, as of small birds or crickets
2. (intransitive) to speak in a high-pitched staccato
3. (transitive, radar, sonar, radio telescopy etc.) To modify (a pulse of signal) so that it sweeps through a band of frequencies throughout its duration.