whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l-ˌpül How to pronounce whirlpool (audio)
1
a
: 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 intrigueA. D. White
2
a
: water moving rapidly in a circle so as to produce a depression in the center into which floating objects may be drawn : eddy, vortex

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ryuji is pulling Usagi towards the whirlpool, hoping to head to the world of death alongside her. Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025 Water vortices, such as whirlpools, are little water whirls that spin around. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 Finding a path past and through the Colorado River's rapids, and avoiding becoming stuck in a whirlpool of disagreement and the looming catastrophe posed by an eventual river failure has become urgent. Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The Cove has four pools, two whirlpools, two twisty water slides, a family pool, 27 cabanas, a walk-up restaurant, and a swim-up bar. Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whirlpool

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of whirlpool was in 1529

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whirlpool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whirlpool. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

whirlpool

noun
whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül How to pronounce whirlpool (audio)
ˈwər(-ə)l-
1
: water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center into which floating objects are drawn : eddy
2

Medical Definition

whirlpool

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on whirlpool

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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