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

And the Striped Malted Pound Cake was striking, with whorls of malted vanilla and chocolate cake and a softly dissolving crumb. —The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026

Rosemary's Hummingbird-Friendly Blooms Wild rosemary has pale blue, tubular flowers that grow in whorls around the stems. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 May 2026

In most flowers, sepals are a whorl of green, known as a calyx, at the base of the petals, but here sepals, which are pointed, make up the entire inflorescence. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

Rendered with a deep blue backdrop and whorls of soft spring colors, La femme finds Lopez staring peaceably into the middle distance, holding a bouquet of flowers. —News Desk, Artforum, 21 Apr. 2026

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