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
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The system prompted warnings along the U.S. East Coast, where officials warned of life-threatening surf and rip currents. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025 In New Jersey, swimming and other water activities were prohibited on beaches, with high surf and rip current warnings in effect through Aug. 22, the weather service said. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025 There is a high risk for life-threatening rip currents through the weekend, according to NWS Melbourne. Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025 But high surf and rip current warnings stretch from the mid-Atlantic all the way to New England Beaches were closed to swimming Wednesday and Thursday in New York City, and some others in New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware were temporarily off-limits. David Schutz, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rip current

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rip current was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Rip current.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rip%20current. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.

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