a whirling mass of water, esp. one in which a force of suction operates, as a whirlpool.

a whirling mass of air, esp. one in the form of a visible column or spiral, as a tornado.

a whirling mass of fire, flame, etc.

a state of affairs likened to a whirlpool for violent activity, irresistible force, etc.

something regarded as drawing into its powerful current everything that surrounds it

the vortex of war.

(in Cartesian philosophy) a rapid rotatory movement of cosmic matter about a center, regarded as accounting for the origin or phenomena of bodies or systems of bodies in space.

noun

cyclone , eddy , gyre , spiral , tornado , tourbillion , twister , waterspout , whirl , whirlpool , whirlwind