backwash

noun

back·​wash ˈbak-ˌwȯsh 

-ˌwäsh

1

: a backward flow or movement (as of water or air) produced especially by a propelling force

also : the fluid that is moving backward

2

: consequence, aftermath

Synonyms

• outcome
• resultant
• result
• consequence
• product
• aftermath

Examples of backwash in a Sentence

a general recession was the backwash of the crisis in the housing market

Recent Examples on the Web

In the early Cretaceous, while the region was a oceanic basin, large amount of tree resin was rapidly swept out from a nearby coast to the open ocean by the backwash from one or more tsunamis. —David Bressan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

Other boats were damaged by being tossed onto the wooden piers, then floating back off on the backwash. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024

Long story short, more bleach was applied and my hair started to melt away in straggly clumps at the backwash. —Humeara Mohamed, refinery29.com, 7 June 2024

Below them, harbor seals appeared in the backwash of coves. —Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backwash

• downwash
• mouthwash
• outwash
• panache
• whitewash
• bosh
• frosh
• gosh
• josh
• posh
• quash
• slosh

Kids Definition

backwash

noun

back·​wash ˈbak-ˌwȯsh 

-ˌwäsh

: backward movement (as of water or air) produced by a propelling force (as the motion of oars)