whisker
noun
whis·ker
ˈ(h)wi-skər 
1
a
: a hair of the beard
b
whiskers plural
(1)
archaic
: mustache
(2)
: the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin
c
: hairbreadth
lost the race by a whisker
2
: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (such as a cat or bird)
3
: an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys
—usually used in plural
4
a
: a shred or filament resembling a whisker
b
: a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used especially to reinforce composite structural material
Examples of whisker in a Sentence
He won the race by a whisker.
Recent Examples on the Web
The slick creatures, with their blunt heads and whiskers, are sometimes easy to spot in the water, but the restaurants that have perfected eating them are a bit harder to find.
—
Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
The list starts with a team that was a whisker or two away from reaching the ultimate destination.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Garments spanning nylon half-zips to French Terry sweatshirts, garments look faded and worn-in and feature hallmarks of denim like whiskers, creases, abrasions and breakages that tell stories of time and use.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
One of its whiskers was also darker than the other.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whisker
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Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
The list starts with a team that was a whisker or two away from reaching the ultimate destination.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Garments spanning nylon half-zips to French Terry sweatshirts, garments look faded and worn-in and feature hallmarks of denim like whiskers, creases, abrasions and breakages that tell stories of time and use.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026
One of its whiskers was also darker than the other.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whisker
Cite this Entry
“Whisker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whisker. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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