whorl

noun

ˈ(h)wȯr(-ə)l  ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l 

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

Stewart shows her characters largely in close-up, often from odd angles: looking up at a chin, for example, or coming in so close that a single eye or the whorl of an ear fills the screen. —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 16 May 2025

Something in the interaction of all those whorls and swirls will give the ducks a special boost. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 16 May 2025

This action stirs up sediments and millimeter-scale organisms like brine shrimp and mayfly larvae, and generates miniature tornado-like whorls that spiral upward. —New Atlas, 15 May 2025

Parents often look down at the whorl on the top of their children’s heads and wonder what, exactly, is going on inside. —Janet Manley, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for whorl

• burl
• churl
• earl
• girl
• hurl
• merl
• merle
• perle
• swirl
• twirl
• whirl
• cowgirl

Kids Definition

whorl

noun

ˈhwȯr(-ə)l  ˈwȯr(-ə)l 

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  ˈwȯr(-ə)l 

ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l

: a fingerprint in which the central papillary ridges turn through at least one complete turn