What is the meaning of shriek?

noun

• Sharp piercing cry.
  • usage: "her screaming attracted the neighbors"
  • synonyms: scream, screaming, shrieking, screech, screeching
• A high-pitched noise resembling a human cry.
  • usage: "he ducked at the screechings of shells"; "he heard the scream of the brakes"
  • synonyms: screech, screeching, shrieking, scream, screaming

verb

• Utter a shrill cry.
  • synonyms: shrill, pipe up, pipe