Keening

The keening sound of the ambulance pierced through the silence of the night.

The keening whistle of the tea kettle signaled that the water had boiled.

The keening whistle of the teapot signaled that the water was boiling.

The refugee glanced back at his war-torn homeland with keening eyes, filled with longing for a peaceful life.

The character in the horror movie let out a keening scream that sent chills down the audience's spine.