I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English whirlwind, whirlewind, from whirlen to whirl + wind
1.
a. : a small rotating windstorm of limited or localized extent marked by an inward and upward spiral motion of the lower air that is followed by an outward and upward spiral motion and usually a progressive motion at all levels : a vortex of air — see dust devil
little whirlwinds twisted and died across the prairie — Edwin Granberry
a small whirlwind knocked two men off their feet and whisked away paper cartons and other debris — Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily News
b. : tornado 2a
2.
a. : a confused rush or tumultuous procession of events or developments : whirl
lived in a whirlwind of examiner's meetings, visits on business … innumerable callers, some political jobs — H.J.Laski
whirlwind of our departure — David Fairchild
the whirlwind of child stardom — Joanna Spencer
b. : a destructive force or agency
the storm has been sown, and the whirlwind must be reaped — Gilbert Parker
farmers are reaping another golden crop of corn, and Republicans are reaping a political whirlwind — W.M.Blair
Synonyms: see wind
II. intransitive verb
: to move like a whirlwind
is whirlwinding through the states on his campaign