whir

or whirr

[ hwur, wur ]
/ ʰwɜr, wɜr /

verb (used without object), whirred, whir·ring.

to go, fly, revolve, or otherwise move quickly with a humming or buzzing sound: An electric fan whirred softly in the corner.

verb (used with object), whirred, whir·ring.

to move or transport (a thing, person, etc.) with a whirring sound: The plane whirred them away into the night.

noun

an act or sound of whirring: the whir of wings.

Origin of whir

1350–1400; Middle English quirre (Scots) < Scandinavian; compare Danish hvirre, Norwegian kvirra. See whirl

Definition for whirring (2 of 2)

whirr
[ hwur, wur ]
/ ʰwɜr, wɜr /

verb (used with or without object), noun

whir.

Example sentences from the Web for whirring

British Dictionary definitions for whirring

whir

whirr

/ (wɜː) /

noun

a prolonged soft swish or buzz, as of a motor working or wings flapping
a bustle or rush

verb whirs, whirrs, whirring or whirred

to make or cause to make a whir

Word Origin for whir

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian kvirra, Danish hvirre; see whirl