whirlwind
Americannoun
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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.
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anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force.
a fiery whirlwind of shrapnel.
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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.
adjective
verb (used without object)
idioms
noun
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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
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a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity
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( as modifier )
a whirlwind romance
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an impetuously active person
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.
Vocabulary lists containing whirlwind
Wind Power: The Words Beneath Your Wings
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The Martian Chronicles
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That's the Way the Wind Blows
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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.
The Indian leader is on a whirlwind five-nation tour that has already taken in the United Arab Emirates and will see Modi also visit Sweden, Norway, and Italy.
From Barron's • May 16, 2026
The 2026 gubernatorial contest has been an undulating, unpredictable whirlwind.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
It’s easy to assume that today’s whirlwind of disruptive tech—robo-cars, AI, brain implants and more—is jolting American society as never before.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
Her career has been a whirlwind ever since.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
Like a whirlwind, time passed, and it was Thanksgiving, with the aroma of turkey and Grandma's baking filling the house.
From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
