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
-
Maritime evacuations remain among the most difficult rescue operations because helicopters have limited offshore range and many expedition vessels lack helipads entirely.—
Barbara Booth,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
-
The rotors on the SkyFall helicopters will also be larger than those on Ingenuity, which spun its blades at 2,700 rpm, already 10 times faster than passenger helicopters on Earth.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Masyn Winn lined a single through the middle and Nathan Church beat out a chopper to the right side against Canning, who had allowed a pair of singles through the first four innings.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Old produce residue build up was on the vegetable chopper.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirlybird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirlybird. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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