whir
verb (used without object)
to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound.
whirred
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past participleof whir.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof whir.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
whirverb (used without object)to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound.
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.
There was no window or outlet for the heat to escape, a small ceiling fan whirred overhead recycling hot air.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
The siblings’ all-day play in the backyard took on a spinning, rapturous dimension from the swarms of insects that whirred around and above them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
Pasta sauces found richness from cannellini beans or chickpeas, whirred until smooth.
From Salon ● Mar. 25, 2026
Machines beeped and whirred as my husband laid on the hospital bed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2025
It had been chopped to pieces, but some of the branches still had golden birds in them, and they whirred around when Grover picked them up, trying to flap their wings.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
