whirlpool

[ hwurl-pool, wurl- ]

noun

1. water in swift, circular motion, as that produced by the meeting of opposing currents, often causing a downward spiraling action.
2. whirlpool bath.
3. Heraldry. gurge ( def 2 ).

whirlpool

/ ˈwɜːlˌpuːl /

noun

1. a powerful circular current or vortex of water, usually produced by conflicting tidal currents or by eddying at the foot of a waterfall
2. something resembling a whirlpool in motion or the power to attract into its vortex
3. short for whirlpool bath

whirlpool

/ wûrl′po̅o̅l′ /

1. A rapidly rotating current of water or other liquid that sucks everything near it toward its center. The meeting of two tides can create a whirlpool.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whirlpool¹

1520–30; whirl + pool ¹; compare late Old English hwyrfepōl

Example Sentences

He is of course, referring to Homer's epic poem that follows the travels of Odysseus and his crew, who faced perils such a the monster Scylla and giant whirlpool Charybdis.

From Salon

Charybdis, a mythical female sea monster, is often depicted as a bottomless sucking whirlpool, but there’s power in accepting your hunger, whether it’s for food or love or armies crossing the sea in boats.

From Slate

The cloistered politicking devolves into lunchroom antics and social warfare akin to a high school movie, but this swirling whirlpool of interpersonal drama is grounded by the pomp and circumstance of centuries-old ritual: garments and ballots and hierarchy.

From Los Angeles Times

And then, like the darkly swirling whirlpool they are, the inevitable maelstrom of hatred brews, and the Scorpio delivers their most important lesson of all: that lust and obsession, however intoxicating and world-altering, are light-years away from love.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet like a spiraling whirlpool, a black hole is currently removing so much gas from Pablo's Galaxy that it can no longer normally form stars.

From Salon

Related Words

• eddy
• maelstrom
• vortex