Meow/miˈaʊ/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Expressing Wants Cats meow to communicate needs or desires, like hunger. You'll hear a meow when your cat is asking for food. Pro Tip 2/3Human Interpretation People may imitate 'meow' to mimic cats or be playful. She said 'meow' playfully after seeing a cute kitten video. Pro Tip 3/3Attention Seeking A 'meow' can signal a cat's attempt to grab your attention. The persistent meow at the door is my cat wanting to be let in.