whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

1

a

: a confused tumult and bustle : whirl

b

: a magnetic or impelling force by which something may be engulfed

refusing to be drawn into this whirlpool of intrigue

—A. D. White

2

a

: water moving rapidly in a circle so as to produce a depression in the center into which floating objects may be drawn : eddy, vortex

b

: whirlpool bath

Synonyms

• gulf
• maelstrom
• vortex

Examples of whirlpool in a Sentence

The swimmer was caught in a whirlpool and nearly drowned.

in The Odyssey, Ulysses is trapped between the six-headed monster Scylla and Charybdis, a deadly whirlpool that threatens to suck in his ship

Recent Examples on the Web

As always, Sam Altman’s cryptic behavior is throwing the AI community into a whirlpool of rumors. —Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 May 2024

Almost every ship in the fleet offers the Solarium, an adults-only section with a pool and whirlpool, a sundeck, and a bar. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2024

On a structural level, at least, Gadd’s self-lacerating commitment to undermining every epiphany as swiftly as it’s built up is rather ingenious, viscerally communicating the inner whirlpool of shame and doubt that’s always threatening to pull us under. —Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024

Scott Salmon, executive director of Friends of the White River, said these structures create sort of a sideways whirlpool that recirculates water at the dam's base rather than flushing it downstream. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 6 May 2024

The hat was spinning in circles, as if caught in a whirlpool. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024

Both ships will be reworked to include signature features of Windstar ships, from a watersports platform to Owners Suites with wraparound balconies to a whirlpool on the bow. —Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024

Chill Island alone features four pools, along with whirlpools, table tennis, Swim & Tonic swim-up bar – and more. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024

Rent cabanas or lounge in the ocean-view whirlpools at Loft 19, where attentive staff take care of everything, like delivering you fruit and chilled towels. —Megan Dubois, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whirlpool

• whirlpool bath

Kids Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül 

ˈwər(-ə)l-

1

: water moving rapidly in a circle with a hollow in the center into which floating objects are drawn : eddy

2

: whirlpool bath

Medical Definition

whirlpool

noun

whirl·​pool ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül, ˈwər(-ə)l- 

: whirlpool bath