moan Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
    groan.
  2. verb indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
    groan.
    • The students groaned when the professor got out the exam booklets
    • The ancient door soughed when opened

WordNet

Moan intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. mnan to moan, also, to mean; but in the latter sense perh. a different word. Cf. Mean to intend.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Moaned ; present participle & verbal noun Moaning
Definitions
  1. To make a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not; to groan softly and continuously.
    Unpitied and unheard, where misery moans. Thomson.
    Let there bechance him pitiful mischances, To make him moan. Shak.
  2. To emit a sound like moan; -- said of things inanimate; as, the wind moans.
Moan transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To bewail audibly; to lament.
    Ye floods, ye woods, ye echoes, moan My dear Columbo, dead and gone. Prior.
  2. To afflict; to distress. Obs.
    Which infinitely moans me. Beau. & Fl.
Moan noun
Etymology
OE. mone. See Moan, v. i.
Definitions
  1. A low prolonged sound, articulate or not, indicative of pain or of grief; a low groan.
    Sullen moans, hollow groans. Pope.
  2. A low mournful or murmuring sound; -- of things.
    Rippling waters made a pleasant moan. Byron.

Webster 1913