whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈ(h)wi-skər How to pronounce whisker (audio)
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
whiskered adjective
whiskery adjective

Examples of whisker in a Sentence

He won the race by a whisker.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If their eyes have narrow pupils and their ears and whiskers are pointed forward, they may be stimulated by the image on the TV. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 Find an old sheet or add some whiskers and cat ears to get your goose in the Halloween spirit. Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024 Attacks that can get within a cat’s whisker of fooling a seasoned cybersecurity professional into handing over credentials that could have seen his Gmail account hacked with all the consequences that could carry. Davey Winder, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 The multitouch technology enhanced the versatility of the material creating different styles, from wide-leg to balloon and flare and 3D effects, like whiskers and cracked looks. Andrea Onate, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whisker 

Word History

Etymology

singular of whiskers mustache, from whisk entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of whisker was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near whisker

Cite this Entry

“Whisker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whisker. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

whisker

noun
whis·​ker ˈhwis-kər How to pronounce whisker (audio)
ˈwis-
1
a
: a hair of the beard
b
plural : the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin
2
: one of the long hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or mouse)
whiskered adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on whisker

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