whir
or whirr
[ hwur, wur ]
/ ʰwɜr, wɜr /
verb (used without object), whirred, whir·ring.
to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound: An electric fan whirred softly in the corner.
verb (used with object), whirred, whir·ring.
to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring sound: The plane whirred them away into the night.
noun
an act or sound of whirring: the whir of wings.
Words nearby whir
Origin of whir
1350–1400; Middle English quirre (Scots) < Scandinavian; compare Danish hvirre, Norwegian kvirra. See whirl
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for whir
British Dictionary definitions for whir
whir
whirr
/ (wɜː) /
noun
a prolonged soft swish or buzz, as of a motor working or wings flapping
a bustle or rush
verb whirs, whirrs, whirring or whirred
to make or cause to make a whir
Word Origin for whir
C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian kvirra, Danish hvirre; see whirl
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012