TERMIUM Plus®

From: Translation Bureau

On social media

Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.

WHISTLING [13 records]

Record 1 2026-03-23

English

Subject field(s)
  • Human Diseases - Various
  • The Lungs
  • Collaboration with Health Canada
CONT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, is a group of progressive lung diseases. ... These diseases include emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Many people with COPD have both.

CONT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is an ongoing lung condition caused by damage to the lungs. The damage results in swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, inside the airways that limit airflow into and out of the lungs. This limited airflow is known as obstruction. Symptoms include trouble breathing, a daily cough that brings up mucus and a tight, whistling sound in the lungs called wheezing. COPD is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritating smoke, fumes, dust or chemicals. The most common cause is cigarette smoke.... Although COPD is a condition that can get worse over time, COPD is treatable.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Maladies humaines diverses
  • Poumons
  • Collaboration avec Santé Canada
CONT

[La MPOC] se caractérise par une obstruction progressive des voies respiratoires inférieures, qui n'est pas complètement réversible, par une hyperinflation pulmonaire, des symptômes systémiques et une évolution clinique marquée par des exacerbations de plus en plus fréquentes et graves avec le temps. [...] La principale cause de la MPOC reste l'exposition à la fumée de tabac et le risque de développer une MPOC augmente également avec l'âge.

OBS

La bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive est un groupe de maladies qui comprend la bronchite chronique et l'emphysème. De nombreuses personnes atteintes de bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive présentent en même temps une bronchite chronique et de l'emphysème.

Key term(s)
  • broncho-pneumopathie chronique obstructive

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Enfermedades humanas varias
  • Pulmones
  • Colaboración con el Ministerio de Salud de Canadá
DEF

Proceso progresivo e irreversible caracterizado por la disminución de la capacidad pulmonar inspiratoria y espiratoria.

OBS

EPOC; epoc; Epoc: La Fundación del Español Urgente (Fundéu BBVA), con el asesoramiento de la Real Academia Española, indica que, el acrónimo de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica es "EPOC", enteramente con mayúsculas, y puede lexicalizarse como "epoc", con minúsculas, por lo que "Epoc" es una grafía inadecuada.

Save record 1

Record 2 2024-02-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Translation (General)
CONT

Such an optimistic view may be simply whistling in the dark.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Traduction (Généralités)

Spanish

Save record 2

Record 3 2020-04-28

English

Subject field(s)
  • Birds
CONT

Firehawks carry sticks already burning from a wildfire and drop them in another area, which sets a new fire; as small mammals and insects race to escape the flames and smoke, they become easy pickings for the raptors.

CONT

The birds known as firehawks include the black kite [Milvus migrans], whistling kite [Haliastur sphenurus], and brown falcon [Falco berigora] ;black kites live in Asia and Africa.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Oiseaux
OBS

[...] les oiseaux récupèrent des bâtons, des herbes dans une végétation en feu, voire dans des feux de cuisine allumés par des humains, s'enfuient avec et les relâchent plus loin, dans des zones intactes.

OBS

Les oiseaux ainsi désignés sont le milan noir (Milvus migrans), le milan siffleur (Haliastur sphenurus) et le faucon bérigora (Falco berigora).

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Aves
CONT

Tres especies de aves rapaces australianas, el milano negro (Milvus migrans), el milano silbador (Haliastur sphenurus) y el halcón berigora o pardo (Falco berigora), han sido observadas incendiando la maleza para aprovecharse del fuego.

Save record 3

Record 4 2019-10-31

English

Subject field(s)
  • The Ear
Universal entry(ies)
H93.1
classification system code, see observation
DEF

The perception of a sound in the absence of an environmental acoustic stimulus.

OBS

The sound can be a pure tone or noise including(ringing, whistling, hissing, roaring, or booming) in the ears.

OBS

H93.1: code used in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Oreille
Entrée(s) universelle(s)
H93.1
classification system code, see observation
DEF

Bourdonnement, sifflement ou autre phénomène perçu par une oreille ou par les deux, voire à l'intérieur du crâne, et ce en l'absence de tout son extérieur.

OBS

acouphène : terme habituellement utilisé au pluriel.

OBS

H93.1 : code de la Classification statistique internationale des maladies et des problèmes de santé connexes.

Key term(s)
  • acouphènes

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Oreja
Entrada(s) universal(es)
H93.1
classification system code, see observation
DEF

Ruido de zumbido, ronquido, repique o chasquido, que percibe el sujeto en sus oídos

CONT

Los acúfenos, o tinitus, se definen como la percepción por el individuo de ruidos o sonidos que no provienen del medio externo, sino que son generados en el interior de su cuerpo, inclusive en el propio sistema nervioso

CONT

Cefalea, vértigo, zumbido de oídos y falta de concentración suelen ser síntomas frecuentes manifestando la alteración del sistema nervioso central.

Key term(s)
  • acúfenos
Save record 4

Record 5 2006-11-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Federal Government Bodies and Committees (Canadian)
  • Rail Transport
OBS

Transport Canada's Rail Safety Engineering Branch is responsible for safety standards and monitoring audit and inspection programs of railway infrastructure including tracks, bridges, trespassing(access control), road crossings, railway signal systems and wayside safety devices. The branch is also responsible for identifying crossing safety improvements under the Grade Crossing Improvement Program, the elimination of train whistling in communities, and for ensuring the conduct of environmental assessments as required under the Canadian Environment Assessment Act(CEAA).

French

Domaine(s)
  • Organismes et comités fédéraux (Gouvernement canadien)
  • Transport par rail
OBS

Transports Canada. La Direction de l'ingénierie est responsable des normes de sécurité et des programmes de surveillance de l'infrastructure ferroviaire incluant les voies, les ponts, les intrusions (contrôle de l'accès), les franchissements routiers, les systèmes de signalisation ferroviaire et l'équipement de sécurité sur le bord de la voie. La Direction est aussi responsable de l'identification des améliorations à apporter à la sécurité aux passages à niveau selon le Programme d'amélioration des passages à niveau, de l'élimination du sifflement du train dans les localités et de la conduite des évaluations environnementales comme l'exige la Loi canadienne sur l'évaluation environnementale (LCÉE).

Spanish

Save record 5

Record 6 2004-11-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Explosives and Pyrotechnical Materials (Industries)
  • Performing Arts
CONT

Line rockets. Also known as "grid rockets, "these are small whistling rockets that run along a steel cable. The cable must be securely fastened at each end, and is usually up to 50 metres in length. The Line Rocket is attached to the line by a plastic tube, and takes between 2 and 4 seconds to travel the 50 metres. [Text accompanied by an illustration. ]

CONT

The Line Rocket by itself is a great effect--it whizzes along the line at high speed with a terrific whistling noise.... The possible uses for a Line Rocket effect are almost limitless.... Some examples are in order : At the beginning of a concert, you want an effect that will start the show with a "bang. "Picture three or four rockets(more or less depending upon size of venue) streaking from the back of the crowd to the stage. When the rockets "hit" the stage, several theatrical flash effects are triggered, possibly in conjunction with a gerb waterfall effect.

CONT

... storage of high hazard practical purpose pyrotechnics for use, (e.g. theatrical effects, line throwing rockets, etc.) ...

French

Domaine(s)
  • Explosifs et artifices (Industries)
  • Arts du spectacle
OBS

fusée sur câble : Proposition d'après la description anglaise.

Spanish

Save record 6

Record 7 2004-06-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Diamond Industry
DEF

A lubricant applied to the spindle to prevent whistling and overheating.

CONT

When a spindle starts to "whistle," which often happens, one needs to put a little oil or wax on the points or bearings.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Industrie diamantaire
OBS

Quand un plateau siffle, ce qui arrive assez souvent, il suffit de mettre un peu d'huile ou de bougie grasse sur les pointes ou sur les coussinets pour faire cesser cet inconvénient.

Spanish

Save record 7

Record 8 2002-07-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • The Ear
CONT

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present; it is often referred to as "ringing in the ears. "It can also take the form of hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping or clicking. The noise can be intermittent or constant, with single or multiple tones.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Oreille
DEF

Acouphène continu ou intermittent de tonie moyenne.

OBS

Acouphène : toute sensation auditive d'origine généralement pathologique qui n'est pas étroitement liée à un stimulus extérieur à l'organisme.

OBS

Tintement : terme et définition normalisés par l'AFNOR et reproduits avec son autorisation.

Spanish

Save record 8

Record 9 2002-07-30

English

Subject field(s)
  • Hearing
CONT

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present; it is often referred to as "ringing in the ears. "It can also take the form of hissing, roaring, whistling, chirping or clicking. The noise can be intermittent or constant, with single or multiple tones.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Ouïe
DEF

Acouphène continu ou intermittent de tonie aiguë.

OBS

acouphène : toute sensation auditive d'origine généralement pathologique qui n'est pas étroitement liée à un stimulus extérieur à l'organisme.

OBS

sifflement : terme et définition normalisées par l'AFNOR et reproduits avec son autorisation.

Spanish

Save record 9

Record 10 2002-07-23

English

Subject field(s)
  • Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Accessories
OBS

Boxes need to be fitted to a set of roof bars. Cars with factory fitted longitudinal roof rails will still need a set of cross bars. Bars need to be a precise fit, particularly on modern cars without rain gutters... Quality boxes should be almost silent in use. Boxes mounted too close to the roof are likely to generate a whistling noise, so roof bars lift them at least 10cm clear of the car roof.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Accessoires d'automobiles et de bicyclettes

Spanish

Save record 10

Record 11 1991-02-11

English

Subject field(s)
  • Various Military Titles
  • Weapon Systems
OBS

The shell known more familiarly as "Whistling Dick", which blew off heads and shredded internal organs in a most efficient fashion.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Appellations militaires diverses
  • Systèmes d'armes

Spanish

Save record 11

Record 12 1986-02-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Plumbing
  • Noise Pollution
CONT

Noises in plumbing. Roaring, rumbling, crackling, rattling, whistling, and other sounds occur in all plumbing pipes-supply, vent and drainage. Noises are due to cavitation, temperature and other stress changes, vibrations, and other causes.

Key term(s)
  • plumbing noise

French

Domaine(s)
  • Plomberie
  • Pollution par le bruit
CONT

Le bruit des équipements hydrauliques. [...] une norme homologuée: NF S 31-014 "Code d'essai pour la mesure du bruit émis par les équipements hydrauliques des bâtiments" [...]

OBS

Équivalent et justification tirés d'un périodique français intitulé: C.F.P. chaud-froid;plomberie. La revue européenne de l'installateur, Paris, Éditions parisiennes, 1972, No 313, p. 110.

Spanish

Save record 12

Record 13 1981-12-01

English

Subject field(s)
  • Signalling (Rail Transport)
OBS

whistling : term officially approved by CP Rail.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Signalisation (Transport par rail)
OBS

usage du sifflet : terme uniformisé par CP Rail.

Spanish

Save record 13

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)

Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: