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

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Synonyms for whirlpool

Synonyms

gulf, maelstrom, 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

Because Bourdain was our Ulysses, navigating between rocks and monsters, stopping for music and dinner and drinks, trying to keep his ship sailing through soup tureens and whirlpools, and the vast, endlessly televised ocean. — latimes.com, "Food odysseys," 16 June 2018 Same for the brite tank (used to hold beer after fermentation), the new whirlpool system and the giant grain silo. — Kathy Flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Third Space Brewing adds more equipment and expects to double its beer production," 4 June 2018 Features of the suite include a private cinema with an 85-inch HD television, a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, a 212-square-foot balcony complete with table tennis and a full-size whirlpool. — USA TODAY, "Video: The super-sized family suite on the world's largest cruise ship," 24 Apr. 2018 The 4,700-square-foot water play area with a zero-depth area also features two waterslides, a flume, a tunnel and a vortex whirlpool. — Sonja Haller, azcentral, "Ultimate Arizona bucket list: 15 things to do in Surprise," 16 Feb. 2015 Nine rooms in eight cottages, some with kitchenettes, fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. — Christopher Reynolds, latimes.com, "Sitting in the palm of nature: The unique energy — and performances — of Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre," 12 July 2018 Sanctuaries that welcome mature audiences year-round include Denver’s Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast, with in-room whirlpool tubs, and Stonebrook Resort on Fall River, with secluded outdoor hot tubs overlooking private hiking trails. — Necee Regis, BostonGlobe.com, "A new Nantucket hotel, Cayman Islands refunds, and other tidbits," 26 June 2018 Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center The center features a zero-depth area and water playground, as well as a lazy river, water slides, whirlpool, water structure, competition pool and diving area. — azcentral, "45 Phoenix area splash pads, parks and water features," 14 June 2018 Overall, the animals could be found within these whirlpool-like gyres more than three-fourths of the time. — Brian J. Skerry, National Geographic, "Why Great White Sharks Hang Out in Warm Whirlpools," 19 June 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.