as in helicopter
a vehicle for traveling through the air that obtains its lift from rotors which spin horizontally from the sky a police whirlybird was able to track the fleeing carjacker

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whirlybird At its factory in Cambodia, Outland Denim uses a method of heat extraction involving breezeways and a roof ventilation device known as a whirlybird. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 Mars’ atmosphere is thin, so the extraterrestrial whirlybird needed some special modifications to achieve lift. Hailey Rose McLaughlin, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2019 The sleek, dark-green whirlybird, with its luxe leather interior, sat in front of Airbus’s static display at the National Business Aviation Association’s BACE conference in Orlando. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2022 The result is a whirlybird that’s quieter than usual, but also potentially safer. Rob Verger and Charlie Wood, Popular Science, 2 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirlybird
Noun
  • Professional and amateur photographers worldwide were invited to enter the competition capturing breathtaking and mostly never-before-seen views using modern drones equipped with high-resolution sensors or more traditional modes of transport such as planes, helicopters and even balloons.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • When Benedict departed the Vatican, his helicopter landed at the villa, and Francis greeted him there less than a month later.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Plus, cut down on prep time with this multi-purpose food chopper that can dice, julienne, grate, and slice fruit and veggies in seconds.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
  • Marsh stole second two pitches later, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Trea Turner’s infield single, a chopper to third base that Manny Machado simply had to hold.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025

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“Whirlybird.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirlybird. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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