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 oak processionary caterpillar, as it is known in English, is a squiggle of dark skin covered in wiry white hairs that look like the whiskers on a witch’s warts. — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

They’re finished with whisker creases, scoop pockets, and raw hems. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

With an eighth of a mile to go, the two were running side by side and separated by a whisker. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Dome-shaped, like a furry armadillo, and ranging from the size of a large cat to a small border collie, raccoons sport a mask of black fur around their eyes surrounded by a halo of white, set above long thick whiskers. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026

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