Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Shriek \Shriek\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Shrieked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Shrieking}.] [OE. shriken, originallythe same word as E.
   screech. See {Screech}, and cf. {Screak}.]
   To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds
   and beasts; to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or
   anguish.

         It was the owl that shrieked.            --Shak.

         At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful train Echoed
         her grief.                               --Dryden.

Source : WordNet®

shrieking
     adj : loud and sustained; shrill and piercing; "hordes of
           screaming fans"; "a screaming jet plane"; "a screaming
           fury of sound"; "a screeching parrot"; "screeching
           brakes"; "a horde of shrieking fans"; "shrieking winds"
           [syn: {screaming(a)}, {screeching(a)}, {shrieking(a)}]
     n 1: sharp piercing cry; "her screaming attracted the neighbors"
          [syn: {scream}, {screaming}, {shriek}, {screech}, {screeching}]
     2: a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry; "he ducked at
        the screechings of shells"; "he heard the scream of the
        brakes" [syn: {screech}, {screeching}, {shriek}, {scream},
         {screaming}]