whirlpool

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

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Definition of whirlpool

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

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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 of whirlpool from the Web

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
Bubbles, rings and whirlpools The current iteration will still allow new physics, says Thompson.

— elizabeth gibney, Scientific American, "Universe’s Coolest Lab Set to Open Quantum World," 9 May 2018
All suites come with whirlpool tubs, while upgraded suites have additional features, such as ocean views and easy access to the resort’s two pools.

— mark rogers, USA TODAY, "Honeymoon guide: Six Los Cabos resorts for couples," 8 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.