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
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Recent Examples of whirlybird
Of course, there’s more to it than simply getting a nod from over half a dozen nations to order a job lot of whirlybirds.
—
David Szondy
february 24, New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2026
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
David Szondy
february 24, New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirlybird
Noun
-
President Richard Nixon walked on the beach and flew over the slick in a helicopter.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Rescue helicopters rarely fly unprotected while on a mission.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Giants third baseman Matt Chapman made a quick play on a chopper from Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts in the bottom of the fifth inning.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The second video shows the Apache turning to face Rock as a second chopper zooms by in the background.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirlybird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirlybird. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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