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Synonyms

whirlybird

American  
[hwur-lee-burd, wur-] / ˈʰwɜr liˌbɜrd, ˈwɜr- /

noun

Informal.
  1. helicopter.


whirlybird British  
/ ˈwɜːlɪˌbɜːd /

noun

  1. an informal word for helicopter

"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

Etymology

Origin of whirlybird

First recorded in 1950–55; whirl + -y 1 + bird

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As the Scoobies take the slow gondola back down the mountain Matsson flies past in his whirlybird.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2023

The whirlybird ride came courtesy of North Cascade Heli, one of the few U.S. heli skiing operations outside Alaska.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 22, 2021

The sugary whirlybird also features rotor blades and windows made from white chocolate.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2021

How about the mailman who recently landed his homemade whirlybird near the base of the Capitol so he could deliver letters of protest to members of Congress: also a Florida man.

From New York Times • May 10, 2015

He points it at the whirlybird and clicks.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

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