1
: a drum-shaped section on the lower part of a spindle in spinning or weaving machinery serving as a pulley for the tape drive that rotates the spindle
2
: an arrangement of similar anatomical parts (such as leaves) in a circle around a point on an axis
3
: something that whirls, coils, or spirals or whose form suggests such movement : swirl
whorls of snow
4
: one of the turns of a univalve shell
5
: a fingerprint in which the central papillary ridges turn through at least one complete circle

Examples of whorl in a Sentence

the whorls and eddies of the river the whorl of a fingerprint
Recent Examples on the Web The fingerprint-like whorls of Daedalia Planum are on the list of unknowns. Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 The results: Twins had hair whorls that rotated in the same direction, indicating a strong genetic influence. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2024 Flowery details are sprouting from all sorts of handbags including 3D blossoms at Balmain and 3.1 Phillip Lim, oversized flower prints at Chanel, and whorls of fabrics and pearls shaped like rosettes at Simone Rocha. Amanda Randone, refinery29.com, 9 July 2024 The squeaking fuzz balls had been deliberately bred, observed, and documented so that the young scientists could compare the patterns of their whorls and colorful splotches against Mendel’s math. Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whorl 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whorl.' 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

Middle English wharle, whorle, probably alteration of whirle, from whirlen to whirl

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whorl was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near whorl

Cite this Entry

“Whorl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whorl. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

whorl

noun
ˈhwȯr(-ə)l How to pronounce whorl (audio) ˈwȯr(-ə)l How to pronounce whorl (audio)
ˈhwər(-ə)l,
ˈwər(-ə)l
1
: a row of similar parts (as leaves or petals) in a circle around a point and especially a stem
2
: something that whirls or winds around a center
a whorl of smoke
3
: one of the turns of a shell (as of a snail) having just one valve
4
: a fingerprint in which the central ridges on the skin turn through at least one complete circle

Medical Definition

whorl

noun
ˈhwor(-ə)l How to pronounce whorl (audio) ˈwȯr(-ə)l How to pronounce whorl (audio)
ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l
: a fingerprint in which the central papillary ridges turn through at least one complete turn
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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