Whitney

American  

[hwit-nee, wit-] / ˈʰwɪt ni, ˈwɪt- /

noun

1. Eli, 1765–1825, U.S. manufacturer and inventor.

2. John Hay, 1904–82, U.S. diplomat and newspaper publisher.

3. Josiah Dwight, 1819–96, U.S. geologist.

4. William Dwight, 1827–94, U.S. philologist and lexicographer (brother of Josiah Dwight).

5. Mount, a mountain in E California, in the Sierra Nevada. 14,495 feet (4,418 meters).

6. a male given name.

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Whitney ¹ British  

/ ˈwɪtnɪ /

noun

1. Eli. 1765–1825, US inventor of a mechanical cotton gin (1793) and pioneer manufacturer of interchangeable parts

2. William Dwight. 1827–94, US philologist, noted esp for his Sanskrit Grammar (1879)

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Whitney ² British  

/ ˈwɪtnɪ /

noun

1. a mountain in E California: the highest peak in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and in continental US (excluding Alaska). Height: 4418 m (14 495 ft)

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Example Sentences

“When heirs cannot reach a unanimous decision, the executor’s role becomes pivotal. Executors are tasked with reconciling conflicts,” Hancock Whitney adds.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

Its buzzy 1980s origins featured endorsements from celebrities including Paula Abdul, Whitney Houston and Demi Moore.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

A Pratt & Whitney engine problem grounded 20% of Spirit’s planes at one point.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Whitney Wakefield told the judge during the hearing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

I can’t ever get enough of Phyllis Whitney.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant