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carousel
A ride at a fair or in an amusement park that turns in a circle and is often equipped with seats in the shape of horses or other figures.
Die Kinder wollten unbedingt noch eine Runde auf dem Karussell fahren.
The children absolutely wanted to ride one more round on the carousel.
When talking about riding the amusement ride, you use the preposition 'auf' with the dative. So you ride 'auf dem Karussell' (on the carousel).
Als Kind liebte ich es, auf dem Karussell zu sitzen.
As a child, I loved sitting on the carousel.
In the figurative meaning, 'Karussell' (carousel) is often the second part of a compound word. Well-known examples are 'Gedankenkarussell' (carousel of thoughts) or 'Personalkarussell' (personnel carousel).
Seit Tagen komme ich aus diesem Gedankenkarussell nicht mehr heraus.
For days, I haven't been able to get out of this carousel of thoughts.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If it is about abstract topics such as politics, business, or emotions, it usually does not refer to the amusement ride.
Nach der Wahl begann sich das politische Karussell in der Hauptstadt zu drehen.
After the election, the political carousel in the capital began to turn.
vertebra / swirl
'der Wirbel' and 'das Karussell' can both have to do with circular movement. A 'Wirbel', however, is the movement itself, for example of air, water, or dust. 'Karussell' usually means a fairground ride that turns in a circle. Figuratively, 'Karussell' can also mean a fast, repeated, and confusing sequence of events. When you are talking about nature or a current, 'Wirbel' fits. When you are talking about a rotating amusement ride or a figurative series of changes, 'Karussell' fits better.
Lukas ist auf dem Rummel zweimal mit dem Karussell gefahren.
Lukas rode the carousel twice at the fair.
Im Fluss bildete sich ein kleiner Wirbel neben dem Stein.
A small whirlpool formed in the river next to the rock.