Definition of "whirlwind" []

• A rapidly rotating, generally vertical column of air, such as a tornado, dust devil, or waterspout. (noun)
• A tumultuous, confused rush. (noun)
• A destructive force or thing. (noun)
• Tumultuous or rapid: a whirlwind political campaign. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Actually, the term whirlwind is a bit under the mark."
• "It's got to be what they call a whirlwind campaign or go without."
• "'Yes,' said Margaret, rather sadly, remembering the never-ending commotion about trifles that had been going on for more than a month past: 'I wonder if a marriage must always be preceded by what you call a whirlwind, or whether in some cases there might not rather be a calm and peaceful time just before it.'"