whirlpool

American  

[hwurl-pool, wurl-] / ˈʰwɜrlˌpul, ˈwɜrl- /

noun

1. water in swift, circular motion, as that produced by the meeting of opposing currents, often causing a downward spiraling action.

2. whirlpool bath.

3. Heraldry. gurge.

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whirlpool British  

/ ˈwɜːlˌpuːl /

noun

1. a powerful circular current or vortex of water, usually produced by conflicting tidal currents or by eddying at the foot of a waterfall

2. something resembling a whirlpool in motion or the power to attract into its vortex

3. short for whirlpool bath

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whirlpool Scientific  

/ wûrl′po̅o̅l′ /

1. A rapidly rotating current of water or other liquid that sucks everything near it toward its center. The meeting of two tides can create a whirlpool.

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Etymology

Origin of whirlpool

1520–30; whirl + pool ¹; compare late Old English hwyrfepōl

Example Sentences

The whirlpool is massive, and I seriously overestimated how far I could jump.

From Literature

On the way to port, a powerful wave struck from two directions creating a whirlpool, and the boat flipped.

From BBC

Byrne’s own children, 7 and 9, helped her snap out of the whirlpool of emotion that was making “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”

From Los Angeles Times

Below the cliff where Arisu and this gentleman converse lies a vast body of churning water with a foreboding whirlpool at its heart.

From Salon

Meanwhile, on the walls are large sheets of colourful paper covered in swirled patterns, some like tornados or whirlpools.

From BBC

Related Words

• eddy
• maelstrom
• vortex