apito

Apito is a term used in Portuguese to denote a whistle. It refers to the small device that emits a sharp sound and to the act of whistling. The related verb apitar means to whistle or to blow a whistle. Etymology is generally traced to the verb apitar, from which the noun apito is formed.

Usage of the word covers several contexts. In sports, referees and officials use an apito to signal starts, stops, and fouls. In signaling and safety practices, whistles serve as audible alerts on ships, trains, construction sites, and in crowd control. In everyday life, an apito can be used for attracting attention, coordinating activities in marching bands or outdoor work, and in animal training or education where whistling is employed as a cue.

As a proper noun, the term can appear in geographic names or surnames within Portuguese-speaking communities, reflecting historical or occupational associations with signaling and communication.

See also: whistle.