vortex
noun
vor·tex
ˈvȯr-ˌteks 
plural vortices
ˈvȯr-tə-ˌsēz
also vortexes
ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz
also vortexes
ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz
1
: something that resembles a whirlpool
… the hellish vortex of battle …—
Time
Time2
b
: a region within a body of fluid in which the fluid elements have an angular velocity
Examples of vortex in a Sentence
a boat sucked down into the vortex
Recent Examples on the Web
Zachary Taylor, who was asking for a five-year sentence, described him as an impressionable young man who suffered from depression and was pulled into the algorithmic vortex of hate speech on social media.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
The winds across Antarctica's frozen landscape have carved incredible, swirling vortexes in the clouds above the icy terrain.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 May 2026
The duo rose to prominence together, even as the music sounded more and more like it was lost in a vortex.
—Miki Hellerbach, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Then, these large vortices create smaller ones in a process known as the energy cascade.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vortex
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John Annese, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
The winds across Antarctica's frozen landscape have carved incredible, swirling vortexes in the clouds above the icy terrain.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 12 May 2026
The duo rose to prominence together, even as the music sounded more and more like it was lost in a vortex.
—Miki Hellerbach, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Then, these large vortices create smaller ones in a process known as the energy cascade.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for vortex
Cite this Entry
“Vortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vortex. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vortex
noun
vor·tex
ˈvȯr-ˌteks
plural vortices
ˈvȯrt-ə-ˌsēz
also vortexes
also vortexes
: a mass of whirling fluid forming a cavity in the center toward which things are drawn : whirlpool
Medical Definition
vortex
transitive verb
vor·tex
ˈvȯ(ə)r-ˌteks
: to mix (as the contents of a test tube) by means of a rapid whirling or circular motion
vortex air into a solution
vortexing
noun
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