Pronunciation: /wər/
noun a low, continuous, regular sound
A1 I heard a whir coming from the kitchen.
A2 The whir of the fan provided a soothing background noise.
B1 The whir of the engine signaled the start of the race.
B2 The constant whir of the machinery made it difficult to concentrate.
C1 The whir of the helicopter blades overhead drowned out all other sounds.
C2 The soft whir of the computer fan was the only noise in the otherwise silent room.
verb to make a low, continuous, regular sound
A1 The fan whirs quietly in the background.
A2 I could hear the sound of the machine whirring as I approached.
B1 The blender started to whir as I turned it on.
B2 The helicopter blades began to whir as it prepared for takeoff.
C1 The engine of the car whirred smoothly as we drove down the highway.
C2 The wind turbines whirred loudly as they generated electricity for the town.
formal The sound of the machine's whir indicated that it was working properly.
informal I could hear the whir of the fan in the background as I worked.
slang The car's engine had a loud whir as it sped down the highway.
figurative Her mind was in a constant whir as she tried to come up with a solution.
whirred
whirs
more whirring
most whirring
whir
will whir
has whirred
is whirring
whir
whir
to whir
whirring
whirred