whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

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 intrigue

—A. 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

b

: whirlpool bath

Synonyms

• 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

Two pools, a whirlpool, cabanas, and casual poolside dining at the Dana Pool Café or take-away snacks from The Market Place can also fill a sunny afternoon. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whirlpool

• whirlpool bath

Rhymes for whirlpool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• boule

Kids Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

ˈwər(-ə)l-

1

: water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center into which floating objects are drawn : eddy

2

: whirlpool bath

Medical Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül, ˈwər(-ə)l- 

: whirlpool bath