Definition of whir
whirred
;whirring
intransitive verb
: to fly, revolve, or move rapidly with a whir hummingbirds whirring past
transitive verb
: to move or carry rapidly with a whir
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Examples of whir in a Sentence
the hummingbird whirred as it hovered over a flower
our tires whirred as we traveled over the rough road
Recent Examples of whir from the Web
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In cities, families had to fill jugs and bottles from public taps at 3 a.m. In villages, long daily electrical outages stopped fans from whirring and tube wells from pumping water to irrigate parched fields.
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As the news cycle continues to whir and new late-night shows continue to pile up, hosts need to keep finding ways to stand out.
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As the news cycle continues to whir and new late-night shows continue to pile up, hosts need to keep finding ways to stand out.
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Inside the historical building on Water St., remnants of the brewery's past — low doorways, a spiral staircase, garage doors not big enough for fermentation tanks to get through — mix with the shiny, whirring machines of a successful modern brewery.
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From the looks of things, all Leslie Washington was trying to do was protect her children from the cars whirring around her in the lot of a Subway on Winchester.
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The new 3,300-square-foot space may also allow the museum to display a line of sewing machines that, like an assembly line, used to hum and whir throughout the district in its prime.
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A giant fermenting tank clanged and whirred behind her, and the air hung heavy with the smell of coconut.
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Marketers say the spinner, which whirs hypnotically with the twirl of a finger, can provide comfort in stressful situations and improve focus.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whir.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of whir
Middle English (Scots) quirren, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish hvirre to whirl, whir
whir
whirr
Definition of whir
: a continuous fluttering or vibratory sound made by something in rapid motion the whir of machinery
Examples of whir in a Sentence
the whir of a fan
a whir coming from the refrigerator
Recent Examples of whir from the Web
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Rowing has a meditative effect, with its rhythmic motion and surreal quiet, apart from breathing, faint splashes, and the whir of the seat rolling back and forth.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whir.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of whir
1677
WHIR Defined for English Language Learners
whir
Definition of whir for English Language Learners
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: the sound made by something that is spinning very fast
WHIR Defined for Kids
Definition of whir for Students
whirred
;whirring
: to fly, operate, or turn rapidly with a buzzing sound … the machines stopped whirring, and from then on, not a single chocolate … was made. — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Definition of whir for Students
: a buzzing sound made by something spinning or operating quickly
Learn More about whir
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See words that rhyme with whir Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whir Spanish Central: Translation of whir Nglish: Translation of whir for Spanish speakers
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