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 of whirlpool

• 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

Oasis Spa embraces that connection to nature with cascading waterfalls, secluded treatment bungalows, hydrotherapy whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas and invigorating hot-and-cold plunge pools. — Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

He was mesmerized by the whirlpool, enthralled by the cyclops scene, dazzled at Circe’s transfigurative powers. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, the whirlpools of history spin, and ordinary people, good and bad alike, drown in them. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Beyond the spa, the resort’s Health Club is set up with an indoor/outdoor heated pool, a 60-foot lap pool, three outdoor whirlpool tubs, a dry sauna, and two eucalyptus steam rooms. — Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026

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