Homonym: wail (Cry)
A "wail" is a long, high-pitched sound often associated with expressing grief, pain, or distress. It can be made by humans or animals and is typically characterized by a mournful tone. People might wail during moments of sorrow, such as at a funeral, while animals may wail to signal discomfort or loneliness.
In addition to its emotional connotation, the term "wail" can also refer to specific sounds made by certain objects, like a siren or a whistle. For example, the siren of an emergency vehicle often produces a wailing sound to alert others of its presence.