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
Words nearby whir
Definition for whirring (2 of 2)
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