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

For Maurer, then an analyst at Soleil Securities, it was a whirlwind IPO period.

From MarketWatch • May 25, 2026

And while the group continues to ride the whirlwind of touring and a newfound sisterhood, O'Donnell said she hopes they are laying the groundwork for something more enduring.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

The whirlwind tour begins in the UAE, home to a 4.5 million-strong Indian community.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

But even if you skip a marathon art-viewing session this week, there’s plenty to enjoy among the whirlwind of fairs dotted across the city like tornadoes on a Kansas plain.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Piper held out her arms and the makhai made her the centre of their whirlwind.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• dust devil
• tornado
• waterspout