whirlwind

American  

[hwurl-wind, wurl-] / ˈʰwɜrlˌwɪnd, ˈwɜrl- /

noun

1. Meteorology. a relatively small mass of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and simultaneously advancing over land or sea: specific categories of whirlwind include dust devil, dust whirl, tornado, and waterspout.

   The sails were carried up to the mastheads by the force of the whirlwind.

2. anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force.

   a fiery whirlwind of shrapnel.

3. someone or something characterized by great energy or swiftness, often with an atmosphere of chaos.

   a staff of three do-nothings and one whirlwind; a whirlwind of activity at the stock exchange.

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adjective

1. like a whirlwind, as in speed or force.

   a whirlwind visit to New York.

   Synonyms:

   impulsive, hasty, breakneck, headlong

verb (used without object)

1. to move or travel quickly.

   You can't just whirlwind in and out of their lives and expect them to be OK with that.

idioms

1. (sow the wind and) reap the whirlwind, to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hosea 8:7.

whirlwind British  

/ ˈwɜːlˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a column of air whirling around and towards a more or less vertical axis of low pressure, which moves along the land or ocean surface

2. 1. a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity

   2. ( as modifier )

      a whirlwind romance

3. an impetuously active person

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Etymology

Origin of whirlwind

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse hvirfilvindr; cognate with German Wirbelwind

Explanation

You can describe a tornado — a swirling vortex of air — as a powerful whirlwind, which is literally wind that whirls around in a narrow upright tube shape as it moves over the ground. Some kinds of whirlwinds cause terrible destruction as they sweep across the Earth's surface, sucking cars and trees into the pull of their spinning funnels. People often use this word figuratively, like describing a hectic or fast-paced vacation as a "whirlwind tour." The word whirlwind itself is thought to be modeled on the Old Norse word hvirfilvindr.

Example Sentences

From that moment he had been through a whirlwind of presentations, interviews and glad-handing with Augusta members.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

There has been a whirlwind of press releases and partnership announcements.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

He remembered meeting her in late summer, in a whirlwind courtship that he described as a Hallmark movie.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

The young happy couple, about a week away from getting married, have enjoyed a whirlwind romance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

First, they’d have some fun: The Mona Lisa would have a whirlwind tour around Italy—a trip through cities the portrait last saw some four hundred years before.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

Related Words

• dust devil
• tornado
• waterspout