whirligig

noun whirl·i·gig \ ˈhwər-li-ˌgig , ˈwər- \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of whirligig

1 : a child's toy having a whirling motion

2 : merry-go-round

3 a : one that continuously whirls, moves, or changes

b : a whirling or circling course (as of events)

See whirligig defined for English-language learners

See whirligig defined for kids

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Recent Examples of whirligig from the Web

Taking the money and then giving it back, in an endless game of bureaucratic whirligig, does not seem to grab them the way it grabs wonks.

— david roberts, Vox, "Big oil and Bush-era lobbyists are teaming up to support a carbon tax," 22 June 2018
The giant whirligig that is the Home Run Sculpture at Marlins Park didn’t move an inch, light up, spray water, or go through any of its usual gyrations when Lewis Brinson homered in Tuesday’s first inning.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "Marlins do not activate HR sculpture in exhibition game. What about regular season? | Miami Herald," 27 Mar. 2018
To ensure that final vowel stays banished, there's not a flag, whirligig, weather vane, or braided rug in sight.

— kathleen hackett, ELLE Decor, "A Haven in the Hamptons," 29 June 2010
For now at least, Gucci serves as the best-case-scenario for what can happen when the fashion whirligig turns, and a new interpreter takes over a storied brand.

— maya singer, Vogue, "The “Merch” Phenomenon Is Just Beginning—The Future of Fashion Is on TV," 29 Aug. 2017
The whirligig's whirlwind rise took even toy store clerks by surprise.

— danielle dreilinger, NOLA.com, "Fidget spinners fly off shelves -- and school desks -- in New Orleans," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whirligig.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

English speakers, and particularly children, began spinning whirligigs as early as the 15th century. Since then, "whirligig" has acquired several meanings beyond its initial toy sense. It even has a place in the common name of the whirligig beetle, a member of the family Gyrinidae that swiftly swims in circles on the surface of still water. The word whirligig comes to us from Middle English "whirlegigg" ("whirling top"), which is itself from whirlen, meaning "to whirl," and gigg, meaning "(toy) top."