whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈ(h)wi-skər 

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b whiskers plural

(1)

archaic : mustache

(2)

: the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

c

: hairbreadth

lost the race by a whisker

2

: one of the long projecting hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (such as a cat or bird)

3

: an outrigger extending on each side of the bowsprit to spread the jib and flying jib guys

—usually used in plural

4

a

: a shred or filament resembling a whisker

b

: a thin hairlike crystal (as of sapphire or copper) of exceptional mechanical strength used especially to reinforce composite structural material

whiskered

ˈ(h)wi-skərd 

adjective

whiskery

ˈ(h)wi-sk(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of whisker in a Sentence

He won the race by a whisker.

Recent Examples on the Web

Attacks that can get within a cat’s whisker of fooling a seasoned cybersecurity professional into handing over credentials that could have seen his Gmail account hacked with all the consequences that could carry. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

The multitouch technology enhanced the versatility of the material creating different styles, from wide-leg to balloon and flare and 3D effects, like whiskers and cracked looks. —Andrea Onate, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024

The look became so popular that in 1986, the home-grooming manufacturer Wahl introduced the Stubble Device, an electric clipper that only shaved whiskers a little. —Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

Upton's winning entry wore a rainbow skirt, a neon green shirt, a flowery cardigan, sparkly teal shoes and a knit cap imprinted with the nose and whiskers of a cat. —Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

singular of whiskers mustache, from whisk entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing whisker

• within a whisker of

Kids Definition

whisker

noun

whis·​ker ˈhwis-kər 

ˈwis-

1

a

: a hair of the beard

b

plural : the part of the beard growing on the sides of the face or on the chin

2

: one of the long hairs or bristles growing near the mouth of an animal (as a cat or mouse)

whiskered

-kərd 

adjective