coun·ter·cur·rent
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌkər-ənt 
-ˌkə-rənt
: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current
coun·ter·cur·rent
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkər-ənt
-ˈkə-rənt
1
: flowing in an opposite direction
2
: involving flow of materials in opposite directions
countercurrent dialysis
countercurrently
adverb
Examples of countercurrent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Key features include a sun deck, with a large pool with countercurrent jets and a Jacuzzi, and five balconies and sea terraces, one of which connects to a lower deck guest cabin.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025
These birds rely on what’s called a countercurrent exchange to keep their feet from freezing.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Mar. 2023
Everything down to a layer of fat under their paw pads to keep their feet from freezing and a specialized circulatory mechanism called a countercurrent heat exchanger.
—oregonlive, 26 Feb. 2023
And with it, there emerged an acid countercurrent.
—David Van Biema, Time, 31 Dec. 2022
Similarly underdeveloped is any discussion of countercurrents from the right, which underwent its own midcentury cultural and intellectual renaissance.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
The arrangement functions as a countercurrent heat exchanger, warming blood in the veins and cooling blood in the arteries.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The perfumer is known for creating formulas that do not have many ingredients, running countercurrent to the way most fragrances are developed today.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Jennifer Weil, WWD, 23 July 2024
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Noun
At the same time, a countercurrent is gaining momentum—one rooted in indigenous knowledge systems, farmer autonomy, and land stewardship.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Key features include a sun deck, with a large pool with countercurrent jets and a Jacuzzi, and five balconies and sea terraces, one of which connects to a lower deck guest cabin.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025
These birds rely on what’s called a countercurrent exchange to keep their feet from freezing.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Mar. 2023
Everything down to a layer of fat under their paw pads to keep their feet from freezing and a specialized circulatory mechanism called a countercurrent heat exchanger.
—oregonlive, 26 Feb. 2023
And with it, there emerged an acid countercurrent.
—David Van Biema, Time, 31 Dec. 2022
Similarly underdeveloped is any discussion of countercurrents from the right, which underwent its own midcentury cultural and intellectual renaissance.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
The arrangement functions as a countercurrent heat exchanger, warming blood in the veins and cooling blood in the arteries.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The perfumer is known for creating formulas that do not have many ingredients, running countercurrent to the way most fragrances are developed today.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
Its net income declined 18.6 percent to 93.9 million euros.
L’Occitane’s move to go private is countercurrent to some other beauty companies’ recent strategies, with Puig’s initial public offering in May, and Galderma in Switzerland and Douglas in Germany floating in March.
—Jennifer Weil, WWD, 23 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Countercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countercurrent. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
countercurrent
1 of 2 noun
coun·ter·cur·rent
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌkər-ənt, -ˌkə-rənt
: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current
countercurrent
2 of 2 adjective1
: flowing in an opposite direction
2
: involving flow of materials in opposite directions
countercurrent dialysis
the countercurrent system of the kidney
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