flux

1 of 2

noun

1
: a flowing of fluid from the body: such as
a
b
2
: a continuous moving on or passing by (as of a stream)
3
: a continued flow : flood
a flux of words
4
a
: influx
b
: change, fluctuation
in a state of flux
the flux following the death of the emperor
5
: a substance used to promote fusion (as of metals or minerals)
especially : one (such as rosin) applied to surfaces to be joined by soldering, brazing, or welding to clean and free them from oxide and promote their union
6
: the rate of transfer of fluid, particles, or energy across a given surface

flux

2 of 2

verb

fluxed; fluxing; fluxes

transitive verb

1
: to cause to become fluid
2
: to treat with a flux

intransitive verb

: to become fluid : fuse

Example Sentences

Noun the English language is always in a state of flux January typically brings a great flux of returns to department stores. Verb a solid will flux more quickly under pressure
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But the Senate timetable remained in flux Thursday afternoon as officials cautioned that the measure may not be approved until Friday as members from both sides of the aisle want to take jabs at parts of the Biden-McCarthy deal. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 1 June 2023 Add to this the ever-looming fact of climate change: that habitats themselves are in flux. David Gessner, Washington Post, 31 May 2023 Brewers stadium news:A plan to spend $448 million on American Family Field remains in flux. Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 27 May 2023 Negotiators from both sides were talking into the evening and beginning to draft legislative text, though some details remained in flux. Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 25 May 2023 The Tony Awards 2023 Awardist panel | Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman (2); LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP/Getty For a time, the Tony Awards seemed in flux, denied a waiver amidst the WGA strike. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 May 2023 McSweeney was most likely referring to the current political scenario around Northern Ireland, which has been in flux since Brexit. Manori Ravindran, Variety, 15 May 2023 Confidence: Medium Cold-front timing is in flux and thus is some of the weekend forecast. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 15 May 2023 With Christian Arroyo, Yu Chang, Adalberto Mondesí, and Trevor Story on the injured list, the position has been in flux. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2023
Verb
Those signs can flux when sleep deprived, traveling or stressed at work as well. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 31 Jan. 2020 Next, clean and flux a shutoff valve for the cold side and slide it over the tubing end place and solder it in place. Steve Willson, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2018 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flux.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin fluxus, from Latin, flow, from fluere to flow — more at fluid

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flux was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near flux

Cite this Entry

“Flux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flux. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

flux

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a flowing in
flux of the tide
b
: a series of changes : a state of continuous change
2
: a substance used to aid the melting or joining (as by removing impurities) of metals or minerals

flux

2 of 2 verb
1
: to become or cause to become fluid : fuse
2
: to treat with a flux

Medical Definition

flux

noun
1
a
: a flowing or discharge of fluid from the body especially when excessive or abnormal: as
(1)
(2)
b
: the matter discharged in a flux
2
: the rate of transfer of fluid, particles, or energy across a given surface

More from Merriam-Webster on flux

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!