entrain

verb en·train \ in-ˈtrān \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of entrain

entrained; entraining; entrains

transitive verb

1 : to draw along with or after oneself

2 : to draw in and transport (something, such as solid particles or gas) by the flow of a fluid

3 : to incorporate (air bubbles) into concrete

4 : to determine or modify the phase or period of

circadian rhythms entrained by a light cycle

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entrainer

noun

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entrainment

play \in-ˈtrān-mənt\ noun

Recent Examples of entrain from the Web

At this height the Senna’s double diffuser is fully entrained (higher downforce and less drag) due to a phenomenon pilots know as ground effects.

— dan neil, WSJ, "2019 McLaren Senna: A Pet Racecar for Billionaires," 31 May 2018
If spilled, heavy fuel oil would remain for long periods and could spread widely if entrained in moving ice.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Readers write: Letters to the editor, January 16, 2018," 16 Jan. 2018
The music entrains our feet and hands to move in that rhythm.

— simon worrall, National Geographic, "Dogs Have Feelings—Here's How We Know," 9 Sep. 2017
Fully entrained, the T8’s parallel-hybrid AWD power peaks at a nice, round 400 hp and even nicer 472 lb-ft of torque, same as the XC90 T8.

— dan neil, WSJ, "Volvo XC60 Hybrid SUV: Catch One If You Can," 8 Sep. 2017
The blue clustering is an area of low correlation, meaning that there are unusual shapes in the atmosphere – in this case, tornadic debris, the remnants of people’s homes, vegetation, shrapnel, and anything else entrained in the vortex.

— matthew cappucci, Washington Post, "Dissecting the freak nighttime tornado that tore across Maryland’s Eastern Shore," 25 July 2017
Light is by far the most important factor that helps entrain, or synchronize, human circadian rhythms.

— WSJ, "Are Night Owls Better Off Changing Their Sleep Patterns to Be Healthier?," 11 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entrain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.