- a relatively small mass of air rotating rapidly around a more or less vertical axis and simultaneously advancing over land or sea: specific categories of whirlwind include dust devil, dust whirl, tornado, and waterspout: The sails were carried up to the mastheads by the force of the whirlwind.
- anything resembling a whirlwind, as in violent action or destructive force: a fiery whirlwind of shrapnel.
- someone or something characterized by great energy or swiftness, often with an atmosphere of chaos: a staff of three do-nothings and one whirlwind; a whirlwind of activity at the stock exchange.
- like a whirlwind, as in speed or force: a whirlwind visit to New York.
- to move or travel quickly: You can't just whirlwind in and out of their lives and expect them to be OK with that.
- to suffer the penalties for one's misdeeds. Hosea 8:7.
- a column of air whirling around and towards a more or less vertical axis of low pressure, which moves along the land or ocean surface
- a motion or course resembling this, esp in rapidity
- (as modifier)
- an impetuously active person
