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

The Hitch star, in a simple black t-shirt, is sporting a cat nose and whiskers drawn on her face. —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023

Since this pup's whiskers are so detailed, most of this design is made by scraping the outer orange shell rather than carving. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2023

The whiskers or fur must be humanely harvested, meaning they are naturally shed from your cat, before sending them to the designer for inclusion in a custom jewelry piece. —Yolanda Wikiel, wsj.com, 17 Oct. 2023

Casts were made because preserved remains of whiskers or soft tissues of early pinnipeds are unknown. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2023

Then go in with a detail brush to paint ears, whiskers, and eyes. —Ariana Yaptangco, ELLE, 30 Aug. 2023

Some earlier studies suggest that this region is involved in processing signals from seal whiskers. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Aug. 2023

To create intricate patterns such as the spider web, decorators use two other tools: a brush with bristles made of cat whiskers or boar hair, and a twig with a metal pin on one end. —Chantel Tattoli Marko Risovic, New York Times, 30 May 2023

Fascination with Ward’s physical features led one fan to observe that his circle of chin whiskers could be seen only at close quarters. —R.j.m. Blackett, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2023

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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

• within a whisker of

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