whiplash

noun

whip·​lash ˈ(h)wip-ˌlash 

1

: the lash of a whip

2

: something resembling a blow from a whip

the whiplash of fear

—R. S. Banay

3

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck from the rear by another vehicle)

Examples of whiplash in a Sentence

He got whiplash when his car was rear-ended.

Recent Examples on the Web

Swain pointed to the weather whiplash California has experienced in recent years — lurching between drought and heavy rainfall — and said such swings are a key element of the fire weather gripping the region. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025

The scientist also cited another recent example of whiplash in California. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

That’s a shame, but maybe the best thing that could have happened to Universal’s all-time ode to cinematic whiplash. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Dec. 2024

Each half-hour episode offered enough twists to give you whiplash—and to keep you bingeing. —Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

whiplash

noun

whip·​lash -ˌlash 

1

: the lash of a whip

2

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp jerking movement of the head and neck (as of a person in a car that is struck from behind by another car)

Medical Definition

whiplash

noun

whip·​lash ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip- 

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck head-on or from the rear by another vehicle)