jet stream

noun

: a long narrow meandering current of high-speed winds near the tropopause blowing from a generally westerly direction and often exceeding a speed of 250 miles (402 kilometers) per hour

Examples of jet stream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The jet stream – the ultimate arbiter of day-to-day weather – dictates where warmer air and cooler air are allowed to settle across North America. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Forecast models indicate the potential for a stronger jet stream across the southern United States, which could help steer more storm systems and draw additional moisture into the country. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 14 July 2026

El Niños roll in periodically and last nine to 12 months as Pacific trade winds weaken and push warm water back toward the West Coast, coaxing the jet stream lower. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

For California, this typically shifts the winter jet stream farther south, potentially bringing more storms to Southern California, according to NOAA. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jet stream

• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme
• grapheme
• hakim
• hornbeam
• lexeme
• mainstream

Kids Definition

jet stream

noun

: a long narrow wandering current of high-speed winds blowing from a generally westerly direction several miles above the earth's surface