as in helicopter
a vehicle for traveling through the air that obtains its lift from rotors which spin horizontally
from the sky a police whirlybird was able to track the fleeing carjacker
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of whirlybird
The sleek, dark-green whirlybird, with its luxe leather interior, sat in front of Airbus’s static display at the National Business Aviation Association’s BACE conference in Orlando.
—
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2022
The result is a whirlybird that’s quieter than usual, but also potentially safer.
—Rob Verger and Charlie Wood, Popular Science, 2 Dec. 2020
Mars’ atmosphere is thin, so the extraterrestrial whirlybird needed some special modifications to achieve lift.
—Hailey Rose McLaughlin, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2019
At its factory in Cambodia, Outland Denim uses a method of heat extraction involving breezeways and a roof ventilation device known as a whirlybird.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2022
The result is a whirlybird that’s quieter than usual, but also potentially safer.
—Rob Verger and Charlie Wood, Popular Science, 2 Dec. 2020
Mars’ atmosphere is thin, so the extraterrestrial whirlybird needed some special modifications to achieve lift.
—Hailey Rose McLaughlin, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2019
At its factory in Cambodia, Outland Denim uses a method of heat extraction involving breezeways and a roof ventilation device known as a whirlybird.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirlybird
Noun
-
The whole family can climb sand dunes, stargaze, fly in hot air balloons, and take helicopter trips to the dramatic Skeleton Coast.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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Firefighting efforts include 155 engines, 34 water tenders, two helicopters, 21 dozers and 55 hand crews.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Three hours after the troop’s Garmin inReach transmitted a call for help, a chopper retrieved Montgomery from a nearby meadow.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
10 Sep. 2025
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Levine Cava on Thursday announced an attempt at compromise by moving back about half of the chopper budget to the countywide tax, with the rest going back in 2026.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whirlybird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirlybird. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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