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
The polar vortex above the Arctic has been spinning backwards for weeks.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Halfway to the surface, clashing vortices of force push against each other.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
The pool will have several amenities, including a family slide, a lily pad bridge, a zero-depth entry ramp, a climbing wall and a vortex, according to a February press release from Louisville Metro.
—The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
More recently, vortex rings have also been spotted at volcanoes in Alaska, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Nicaragua.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
Sunset circus and happy hours For a few hours each evening before sunset, the energy vortex of Key West shifts to waterfront Mallory Square, a few blocks from the Customs House.
—Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024
Multiple protrusions can be seen reaching out of the funnel like arms — evidence of horizontal vortexes, which usually only occur in the strongest tornadoes.
—Scott Dance, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
Freezing temperatures:The polar vortex has left millions of Texans without power.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024
In other words, the creation of a Jewish state would necessarily debilitate and collapse all other forms of Jewish identity and Jewish observance in the gravitational vortex of nationhood.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Halfway to the surface, clashing vortices of force push against each other.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
The pool will have several amenities, including a family slide, a lily pad bridge, a zero-depth entry ramp, a climbing wall and a vortex, according to a February press release from Louisville Metro.
—The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
More recently, vortex rings have also been spotted at volcanoes in Alaska, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Nicaragua.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
Sunset circus and happy hours For a few hours each evening before sunset, the energy vortex of Key West shifts to waterfront Mallory Square, a few blocks from the Customs House.
—Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024
Multiple protrusions can be seen reaching out of the funnel like arms — evidence of horizontal vortexes, which usually only occur in the strongest tornadoes.
—Scott Dance, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
Freezing temperatures:The polar vortex has left millions of Texans without power.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024
In other words, the creation of a Jewish state would necessarily debilitate and collapse all other forms of Jewish identity and Jewish observance in the gravitational vortex of nationhood.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vortex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near vortex
Cite this Entry
“Vortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vortex. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share