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
Was Gen Z always going to be caught in this vortex of uncertainty?
—Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
This effort could reveal hitherto undiscovered and unexpected patterns of movement, like vortices around the poles of the sun similar to those spotted above the poles of Venus and Saturn.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 June 2025
Only in this case, the cascade of energy from larger to smaller vortices would enhance the rate of that growth — so that in a turbulent fluid, the ducks would exhibit what would later be called superdiffusion.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 16 May 2025
An approaching object can be caught up in this vortex and spiral around the spinning black hole.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vortex
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Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
This effort could reveal hitherto undiscovered and unexpected patterns of movement, like vortices around the poles of the sun similar to those spotted above the poles of Venus and Saturn.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 June 2025
Only in this case, the cascade of energy from larger to smaller vortices would enhance the rate of that growth — so that in a turbulent fluid, the ducks would exhibit what would later be called superdiffusion.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 16 May 2025
An approaching object can be caught up in this vortex and spiral around the spinning black hole.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vortex
Cite this Entry
“Vortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vortex. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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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