whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈ(h)wi-skər How to pronounce whisker (audio)
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 adjective
whiskery adjective

Examples of whisker in a Sentence

He won the race by a whisker.
Recent Examples on the Web Jason suggested auctioning the whiskers for charity. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 2024 Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed above 38,000 points for the second day in a row, just a whisker off its historic peak reached in December 1989. Diksha Madhok, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024 Many social media users are convinced that Kardashian used a filter on the cat at the very least, suggesting the feline's eyes had changed color and that her whiskers appeared softened or missing altogether. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2024 The foursome posed in front of a mirror while wearing festive headbands with pumpkins and animal ears, as well as spooky makeup, including cobwebs and whiskers. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 16 Oct. 2023 Following Saturday’s elections, the KMT is now the largest party in the 113-member Legislative Yuan by a whisker, winning 52 seats compared to the DPP’s 51. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 13 Jan. 2024 And coach Justin Wilcox’s program outperformed our expectations by a whisker. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2024 While the president didn't wear a costume, Dr. Biden dressed as the couple's pet, Willow the cat, with a gray dress, cat ears, a nose and whiskers, and a tail. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023 The pair discovered 276 expressions made up of a combination of 26 facial movements, including shifts in ear position, blinks, nose licks and whisker and mouth movements. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whisker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

singular of whiskers mustache, from whisk entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of whisker was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near whisker

Cite this Entry

“Whisker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whisker. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

whisker

noun
whis·​ker ˈhwis-kər How to pronounce whisker (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on whisker

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