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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 two were transported under heavy security via helicopter from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to a Manhattan heliport and taken by motorcade to the courthouse hours before the proceedings.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
None of these factors changed when Delta Force helicopters descended on Caracas.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Varsho sent a chopper to second base.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
At the end of the game, Alma climbs onto the evac chopper before everything cuts to black.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whirlybird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirlybird. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share