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

• 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

The spa features a hydrotherapy circuit — including a dry sauna, Turkish bath, chromotherapy showers, and a heated whirlpool — plus treatments like massages and facials. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024

When the wind blows parallel to the shore, the current can take swimmers towards a jetty, or pier, where the water whirlpools around the structure before pushing away from the shore. —Siddhant Pusdekar, Journal Sentinel, 28 June 2024

Suites feature two-person whirlpool tubs and private balconies, while ground-floor rooms are swim-up suites. —Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2024

When it was lifted, water rushed out forcefully, filling the building with a crashing sound and causing metal railings to vibrate as a whirlpool formed in the bottom of the tank. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whirlpool

• whirlpool bath

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