rip current

noun

: a strong usually narrow surface current flowing outward from a shore that results from the return flow of waves and wind-driven water

Examples of rip current in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles was forecasting elevated surf and strong rip currents at beaches this weekend and into next week as a result of multiple southerly swells. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2026

Storm surges, flooding from heavy rain, tornadoes and rip currents pose the most significant risks to your life and home. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

The Milwaukee Beach Ambassadors is a group whose advocacy helped make McKinley Beach in Milwaukee safer through construction to minimize rip currents. — Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The hurricane is expected to bring damaging winds, possible tornadoes and even dangerous rip currents to some areas. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rip current

• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• countercurrent
• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• undercurrent