A whip is a flexible, long handle with a thin piece of leather or cord attached to the end.
You might see a whip in a movie where a cowboy rides a horse and uses it to guide the animal. But whips are also used in other ways - like for punishment or as a tool in a kitchen. For example, some bakers use a whip to mix cream or eggs until they're light and fluffy. In general, a whip is something long and flexible that's good at getting attention or mixing things up quickly.
How common is "whip"?
Word whip is considered uncommon in modern English. It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
A lash; a pliant, flexible instrument, such as a rod (commonly of cane or rattan) or a plaited or braided rope or thong (commonly of leather) used to create a sharp "crack" sound for directing or herding animals.
Example: I had to use the whip to get the sheep's attention.
A blow administered with a whip.
A whipper-in.
A member of a political party who is in charge of enforcing the party's policies in votes.
Example: I was going to vote against the bill, but the party whip came to see me and made it clear I needed to vote for it.
(UK politics, with definite article) A document distributed weekly to MPs by party whips informing them of upcoming votes in parliament.
Whipped cream.
Example: Did you want to add some whip to your coffee, ma'am?
A purchase in which one block is used to gain a 2:1 mechanical advantage.
A mode of personal motorized transportation; an automobile, all makes and models including motorcycles, excluding public transportation.
Example: Come on, let's take my whip so we can get there in time.
A move in which one player transfers momentum to another.
A whipping motion; a thrashing about.
Example: I was startled by the whip of the rope when it finally snapped.
The quality of being whiplike or flexible; suppleness, as of the shaft of a golf club.
Any of various pieces that operate with a quick vibratory motion
A coach driver; a coachman.
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verb
To hit with a whip.
Example: The rider whipped the horse.
(by extension) To hit with any flexible object.
Example: I whipped her with a newspaper.
To defeat, as in a contest or game.
To mix in a rapid aerating fashion, especially food.
Example: to whip eggs or cream
To urge into action or obedience.
Example: He whipped the department into shape.
To enforce a member voting in accordance with party policy.
To bind the end of a rope with twine or other small stuff to prevent its unlaying: fraying or unravelling.
To hoist or purchase by means of a whip.
To sew lightly; specifically, to form (a fabric) into gathers by loosely overcasting the rolled edge and drawing up the thread.
Example: to whip a ruffle
To throw or kick an object at a high velocity.
Example: He whipped the ball at me.
To fish a body of water especially by making repeated casts.
To snap back and forth like a whip.
Example: The pennants whipped in the wind.
To move very fast.
Example: The wind whipped through the valley.
To move (something) very fast; often with up, out, etc.
