whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈ(h)wi-skər 

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b whiskers plural

(1)

archaic : mustache

(2)

: the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

c

: hairbreadth

lost the race by a whisker

2

: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (such as a cat or bird)

3

: an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys

—usually used in plural

4

a

: a shred or filament resembling a whisker

b

: a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used especially to reinforce composite structural material

whiskered

ˈ(h)wi-skərd 

adjective

whiskery

ˈ(h)wi-sk(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of whisker in a Sentence

He won the race by a whisker.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Pictures | Getty Images LONDON — The U.K.’s FTSE 100 closed higher by a whisker to keep its winning streak intact and be on par with its best run in 2017. —Ganesh Rao,jenni Reid,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 1 May 2025

For instance, that toothy gape up front is corralled by a goatee of nearly 200 digital light whiskers. —New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025

Individual cats and dogs, for example, have unique whisker patterns. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

The Nasdaq Composite , which includes marquee names such as Nvidia and Apple , ended Wednesday about 19% below its closing high, a whisker away from a bear market. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

singular of whiskers mustache, from whisk entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whisker

• within a whisker of

Rhymes for whisker

• brisker

Kids Definition

whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈhwis-kər 

ˈwis-

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b

plural : the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

2

: one of the long hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or mouse)

whiskered

-kərd 

adjective