pinwheel

1 of 2

noun

pin·​wheel ˈpin-ˌ(h)wēl How to pronounce pinwheel (audio)
1
: a fireworks device in the form of a revolving wheel of colored fire
2
: a toy consisting of lightweight vanes that revolve at the end of a stick
3
: something (such as a galaxy) shaped like a pinwheel

pinwheel

2 of 2

verb

pinwheeled; pinwheeling; pinwheels

intransitive verb

: to move like a pinwheel

Examples of pinwheel in a Sentence

Verb the kayaker had got sucked into the whirlpool, and his kayak was pinwheeling helplessly
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Compared to bowties or pinwheels, shells or elbows, and linguine or fettuccine, after all, ravioli has a little more substance thanks to its cheese-y filling. Caroline Tien, SELF, 13 Dec. 2024 Light eats like charcuterie and pinwheel sandwiches will also be available. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
Forecasters warned of the arrival Thursday into Friday of a second intensifying low pressure area, which will pinwheel around the first bomb cyclone in an atmospheric interaction known as the Fujiwara Effect. Andrew Freedman, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024 Some of the outer rain bands and a few storms from Beta will pinwheel into the area from the east and southeast. Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2020 See all Example Sentences for pinwheel 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinwheel was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near pinwheel

Cite this Entry

“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinwheel. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pinwheel

noun
pin·​wheel
-ˌhwēl
1
: a fireworks device in the form of a spinning wheel of colored fire
2
: a toy made of fanlike blades that spin in the wind at the end of a stick
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!