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

After former President Barack Obama won Florida twice, former President Donald Trump carried the state by a whisker in 2016 and then by a much larger share in 2020. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024

As a result, their whiskers are significantly shorter on the opposite side to the curling direction. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024

Another shot shows the kitten with blue eyes, black ears, and a white nose and whiskers, reaching out his paw to touch someone's hand. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2024

Trump says his 2020 election ‘lost by a whisker’ comment was ‘sarcastic’ One of the moderators, ABC anchor David Muir, asked Trump about his stance on whether the 2020 election was legitimate. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 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