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\ ˈbər(-ə)l 
, Scotland also ˈbir(-ə)l \
, Scotland also ˈbir(-ə)l \birled; birling; birls
Definition of birl
(Entry 1 of 2)
birl
verb (2)birled; birling; birls
Definition of birl (Entry 2 of 2)
: to progress by whirling
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Other Words from birl
Verb (2)
birler \ ˈbər-lər , ˈbir- \ noun
, ˈbir- \ noun
Examples of birl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb There was sea salt in the air, and sleepless seagulls were birling in the darkness overhead.
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Douglas Stuart, The New Yorker, "Found Wanting," 6 Jan. 2020 Another, unable to reach dry land, dug his spiked boots into a slippery timber and birled downriver.
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Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The Lost Art of Floating Logs Down the River," 16 Feb. 2019 In some parts of the United States, birling contests are annual events.
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Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The Lost Art of Floating Logs Down the River," 16 Feb. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'birl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for birl
The first known use of birl was circa 1585
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