whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈ(h)wi-skər 

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b whiskers plural

(1)

archaic : mustache

(2)

: the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

c

: hairbreadth

lost the race by a whisker

2

: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (such as a cat or bird)

3

: an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys

—usually used in plural

4

a

: a shred or filament resembling a whisker

b

: a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used especially to reinforce composite structural material

whiskered

ˈ(h)wi-skərd 

adjective

whiskery

ˈ(h)wi-sk(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of whisker in a Sentence

He won the race by a whisker.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the photo, the dad of two smiled with his gray whiskers and bristles on display. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025

So far, she’s already traveled about 50 miles south to Scotts Head. New Zealand fur seals are distinguished by their pointy noses, long whiskers and relatively small size, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC). —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2025

Not only were scaly reptiles proliferating, but the predecessors of mammals were also evolving fur and whiskers. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025

This is often due to their extra-sensitive whiskers, which can be uncomfortable if constantly touching the sides of a deep or narrow bowl. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

singular of whiskers mustache, from whisk entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whisker

• within a whisker of

Rhymes for whisker

• brisker

Kids Definition

whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈhwis-kər 

ˈwis-

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b

plural : the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

2

: one of the long hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or mouse)

whiskered

-kərd 

adjective