whirligig

/ˈwɜrlɪˌɡɪɡ/
noun
  1. A toy that spins or whirls, such as a top or a pinwheel.
    • The child ran with a colorful whirligig that spun in the breeze.
    • At the fair, she bought a whirligig shaped like a flower.
    • Grandpa carved a wooden whirligig that twirled on the porch.
  2. A whirligig beetle, a small water beetle that swims rapidly in circles on the surface of ponds.
    • The whirligig beetle uses its split eyes to see above and below water.
    • We watched a whirligig skate across the pond in tight circles.
    • A group of whirligigs gathered near the lily pads.
  3. Something that is in a state of constant change or confusion; a whirl or bustle of activity.
    • Her life became a whirligig of meetings and deadlines.
    • The city was a whirligig of lights and noise.
    • The political season is a whirligig of speeches and rallies.
What does "whirligig" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean