whirlpool

noun

whirl·pool | \ ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül

, ˈwər(-ə)l-\

Definition of whirlpool

1a : 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

2a : 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 Example Sentences Learn More about whirlpool

Keep scrolling for more

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

Among the Iron Gates settlements is Lepenski Vir, named after the whirlpool at its doorstep. — Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, "When Farmers and Foragers First Met," 24 Oct. 2018 The whirlpool shrank and then disappeared as the lake level lowered, but not before its ominous brown maw made screens and newspapers all over the world. — Ken Jennings, Condé Nast Traveler, "This Texas Lake Developed a Boat-Swallowing Whirlpool," 3 Sep. 2018 The whirlpools are created by intersecting oceanic currents that are slightly warmer than the surrounding waters, allowing heat to penetrate more deeply than usual into the twilight zone. — Brian J. Skerry, National Geographic, "Why Great White Sharks Hang Out in Warm Whirlpools," 19 June 2018 And the migrants’ interest was agriculture, not muscling a netted sturgeon out of a whirlpool. — Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, "When Farmers and Foragers First Met," 24 Oct. 2018 Facilities on the six decks include a pool, whirlpool, and casino, but the real highlight is the watersports marina that can be lowered down to the waves for easy ocean swimming, kayaking, and more. — Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards," 9 Oct. 2018 There’s a big purple bolt of lightning that connects the island fragments to an unsettling whirlpool in the sky. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, "A week away from Fortnite feels like forever," 27 Oct. 2018 Surprise Aquatic Center The center is packed with water activities, from zero-depth areas with water features to flume and tunnel slides, a vortex whirlpool, a competition pool, a diving well and two 1-meter boards. — azcentral, "45 Phoenix area splash pads, parks and water features," 14 June 2018 The waterpark has three slides (two tube slides and a body slide); the Waukesha WaterWorks water playground, which has its own children's slides and a dump bucket; and Night Fall Springs, an indoor/outdoor whirlpool. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Memorial Day weekend temps are going to be hot. Luckily, Milwaukee County water parks are open.," 24 May 2018

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