whir
verb (used without object)
to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound.
whirring
-
present participleof whir.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
He said those provide enough power to keep fries frozen and fans whirring as long as they are switched out every five hours or so.
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
Rising equity prices have also kept the spending machine whirring when it comes to artificial-intelligence hyperscalers’ capital investments.
From MarketWatch ● May 21, 2026
A few scenes later, a pelican switches on a cotton candy machine with its bill, sending hot sugar whirring through the air — seriously — and I nearly applauded in delight.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
We watched him operate a vintage letterpress, the mechanisms whirring and clanking like a steam engine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
He flashed the ambulance’s emergency lights and fired a quick whirring blast from the siren as he came up our long, flat driveway.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
