whir

v., whirred, whir·ring, whirs.

v.intr.
To move so as to produce a vibrating or buzzing sound.

v.tr.
To cause to make a vibratory sound.

n.

1. A sound of buzzing or vibration: the whir of turning wheels.
2. Excited, noisy activity; bustle: the whir of busy shoppers.

[Middle English whirren, probably of Scandinavian origin.]

verb

To make a continuous low-pitched droning sound: bumble², burr, buzz, drone², hum, whiz. See sounds/pleasant sounds/unpleasant sounds/neutral sounds or silence.

noun

A continuous low-pitched droning sound: bumble², burr, buzz, drone², hum, whiz. See sounds/pleasant sounds/unpleasant sounds/neutral sounds or silence.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: sound of something in rapid motion
  Synonyms: whirr, whirring, birr

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The verb whir has one meaning:

Meaning #1: make a soft swishing sound, as of a motor working or wings flapping
  Synonyms: whizz, whiz, whirr, birr, purr

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