whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

1

a

: a confused tumult and bustle : whirl

b

: a magnetic or impelling force by which something may be engulfed

refusing to be drawn into this whirlpool of intrigue

—A. D. White

2

a

: water moving rapidly in a circle so as to produce a depression in the center into which floating objects may be drawn : eddy, vortex

b

: whirlpool bath

Synonyms

• vortex

Examples of whirlpool in a Sentence

The swimmer was caught in a whirlpool and nearly drowned.

in The Odyssey, Ulysses is trapped between the six-headed monster Scylla and Charybdis, a deadly whirlpool that threatens to suck in his ship

Recent Examples on the Web

The Legionella bacteria, which got its name after the first cases were identified at a Philadelphia hotel that hosted an American Legion convention in 1976, was discovered in the Marriott’s decorative fountain in the lobby, the men’s and women’s locker rooms, swimming pool and spa whirlpool. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

Up on the Sky Lounge, guests will find a bar, whirlpool, sunbeds, sauna, and steam shower, in addition to a comfy lounge area with small tables. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

The disease can be caused by plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for bacterial growth, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks, and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

These turbulent flows, resembling whirlpools, are notoriously complex and have long posed significant challenges for accurate modeling. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whirlpool

• whirlpool bath

Rhymes for whirlpool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• boule

Kids Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

ˈwər(-ə)l-

1

: water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center into which floating objects are drawn : eddy

2

: whirlpool bath

Medical Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül, ˈwər(-ə)l- 

: whirlpool bath