whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈ(h)wi-skər 

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b whiskers plural

(1)

archaic : mustache

(2)

: the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

c

: hairbreadth

lost the race by a whisker

2

: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (such as a cat or bird)

3

: an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys

—usually used in plural

4

a

: a shred or filament resembling a whisker

b

: a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used especially to reinforce composite structural material

whiskered

ˈ(h)wi-skərd 

adjective

whiskery

ˈ(h)wi-sk(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of whisker in a Sentence

He won the race by a whisker.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nielsen found that total viewership for cable and broadcast networks was just a whisker behind with 44.2% of television usage. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025

Equipped with dexterous whiskers, these pinnipeds use a suite of senses to navigate their surroundings with ease. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 May 2025

Cakey Cat Arguably one of the most adorable characters, Cakey Cat is half kitty and half cupcake with colorful sprinkle whiskers. —Alex Vance, Parents, 13 Feb. 2025

Seals are known to use their highly sensitive and dexterous whiskers to navigate and hunt, but the role of visual perception is less studied. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

singular of whiskers mustache, from whisk entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whisker

• within a whisker of

Rhymes for whisker

• brisker

Kids Definition

whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈhwis-kər 

ˈwis-

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b

plural : the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

2

: one of the long hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or mouse)

whiskered

-kərd 

adjective