bellowing

Bellowing is a loud, deep shout or roar produced by forceful expiration, with the vocal tract open and the chest expanded to project air. It is a vocal mode used by humans and animals to carry sound over a distance, to express strong emotion, or to command attention or signal distress.

In humans, bellowing relies on diaphragmatic support and sustained subglottal pressure, often yielding a lower pitch and rich resonance. It is commonly associated with anger, warning, or performance contexts—such as public address, stage acting, or operatic singing—where projection is important.

In the animal kingdom, bellows are used as long-range vocalizations. Large mammals such as cattle emit loud, resonant bellows during social interactions, territory display, or distress. Bellows can serve to maintain group cohesion, deter rivals, or attract mates, depending on species and context.

The term bellow can function as both a noun and a verb, describing the vocalization itself or the act of producing a bellow. In literature and journalism, bellows are described to convey power, danger, or intensity, often employing the onomatopoeic quality of the sound.