whirlpool

From earlier whirlpoole, whirlpole, equivalent to whirl +‎ pool. Compare whirlpit.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈwɝlpul/, /ˈhwɝlpul/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈwɜːlpuːl/

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• Hyphenation: whirl‧pool

whirlpool (plural whirlpools)

1. A swirling body of water.

   A whirlpool is an instance of a vortex produced by ocean tides, or by a hole underneath where the water would drain out, such as in a bathtub.

2. A hot tub, jacuzzi.
   • 1995, Orange Coast Magazine (volume 21, number 6, page 56)

     The meatloaf has been cooking in the oven for the last hour and should be ready just about the time George climbs out of the whirlpool.

3. Turmoil, or agitated excitement.

• whirlpool galaxy

whirlpool (third-person singular simple present whirlpools, present participle whirlpooling, simple past and past participle whirlpooled)

1. (intransitive) To spin or swirl like the water in a whirlpool.