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

The curves and whorls of the 3,000-pound bronze monument evoke billowing sails, crashing waves, and, more abstractly, two hands reaching toward each other. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2025

The areas had large pieces of Middle and Late Iron Age pottery, as well as other cooking vessels and a spindle whorl. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025

The self-flagellation is uncomfortable and dark, and the instrumental’s whorl of warped voices, sax melodies, and bass lines intensifies the feeling that he is trapped within his choices. 17. —Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025

What was done as part of this study, beyond 3D modeling, was a feasibility test to test the functionality of the items as ancient spindle whorls. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 21 Nov. 2024

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