whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

1

a

: a confused tumult and bustle : whirl

b

: a magnetic or impelling force by which something may be engulfed

refusing to be drawn into this whirlpool of intrigue

—A. D. White

2

a

: water moving rapidly in a circle so as to produce a depression in the center into which floating objects may be drawn : eddy, vortex

b

: whirlpool bath

Synonyms

• gulf
• maelstrom
• vortex

Examples of whirlpool in a Sentence

The swimmer was caught in a whirlpool and nearly drowned.

in The Odyssey, Ulysses is trapped between the six-headed monster Scylla and Charybdis, a deadly whirlpool that threatens to suck in his ship

Recent Examples on the Web

As narrator and protagonist Kirie explains, suddenly one day there were spirals everywhere in town: clouds blocking out the sun, hurricanes blowing through the streets, whirlpools forming in ponds and rivers, plants growing in curlicues. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

Exposure can come from showers, faucets, or whirlpools, the Mayo Clinic says, adding that water from the ventilation system in a larger building can also be a cause. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2024

Suite Details on the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Luminara Suites on board Luminara reflect Ritz-Carlton's priorities of luxury, comfort and hospitality, featuring in-suite bars, full height windows, al fresco as well as more formal indoor dining areas, whirlpools on the terraces, and outdoor showers. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Laura Dern gives her all as an actress whose sanity is crumbling in this nightmare opus, a slowly circling black whirlpool that pulls you in with its dream logic and traps you in the dark. —Keith Staskiewicz, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whirlpool

• whirlpool bath

Kids Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

ˈwər(-ə)l-

1

: water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center into which floating objects are drawn : eddy

2

: whirlpool bath

Medical Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül, ˈwər(-ə)l- 

: whirlpool bath