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
A. D. White2
b
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
Inside is one of the largest indoor hotel pools in the city with hydrotherapy areas, whirlpools, sauna and steam room.
—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The infamous cyclops briefly appeared, as well as footage of Odysseus and his men battling the cannibalistic race of giants known as Laestrygonians and navigating around the treacherous whirlpool Charybdis.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
The ship also boasts seven pools and nine whirlpools.
—
Megan Dubois,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
The pool is heated for year-round use, and there is also a whirlpool, outdoor terrace with lounge chairs, and a full fitness center one floor above the pool.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirlpool
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Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
The infamous cyclops briefly appeared, as well as footage of Odysseus and his men battling the cannibalistic race of giants known as Laestrygonians and navigating around the treacherous whirlpool Charybdis.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
1 July 2026
The ship also boasts seven pools and nine whirlpools.
—
Megan Dubois,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
The pool is heated for year-round use, and there is also a whirlpool, outdoor terrace with lounge chairs, and a full fitness center one floor above the pool.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirlpool
Cite this Entry
“Whirlpool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whirlpool. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Medical Definition
whirlpool
noun
whirl·pool
ˈhwər(-ə)l-ˌpül, ˈwər(-ə)l-
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
