whirlybird

[ hwur-lee-burd, wur- ]

noun

, Informal.

1. helicopter.

whirlybird

/ ˈwɜːlɪˌbɜːd /

noun

1. an informal word for helicopter

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirlybird¹

First recorded in 1950–55; whirl + -y ¹ + bird

Example Sentences

You could connect the Hero to comic-book capitalists like Batman and Iron Man — and just maybe to the real-life mogul, with a predilection for spaceflight and whirlybird drones, whose company bankrolls this series.

From New York Times

It took nearly an hour for the high-speed whirlybird to make it to Washington.

From Literature

He points it at the whirlybird and clicks.

From Literature

The sugary whirlybird also features rotor blades and windows made from white chocolate.

From BBC

Some evenings, whirlybirds of unknown origin seem to descend en masse.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• chopper