Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Whirlwind \Whirl"wind`\, n. [Cf. Icel. hvirfilvindr, Sw.
   hvirfvelvind, Dan. hvirvelvind, G. wirbelwind. See {Whirl},
   and {Wind}, n.]
   1. A violent windstorm of limited extent, as the tornado,
      characterized by an inward spiral motion of the air with
      an upward current in the center; a vortex of air. It
      usually has a rapid progressive motion.

            The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods. And
            drowns the villages.                  --Bryant.

   Note: Some meteorologists apply the word whirlwind to the
         larger rotary storm also, such as cyclones.

   2. Fig.: A body of objects sweeping violently onward. ``The
      whirlwind of hounds and hunters.'' --Macaulay.

Source : WordNet®

whirlwind
     n : a more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself
         as it moves over the surface of the Earth

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Whirlwind
     
         An early computer from the {MIT Research Laboratory
        for Electronics}.
     
        Whirlwind used {electrostatic memory} and ran {Laning and
        Zierler} (1953); and {ALGEBRAIC}, {COMPREHENSIVE} and {SUMMER
        SESSION} (all 1959).
     
        [Details, reference?]
     
        (2002-06-03)