jet stream

noun

: a long narrow meandering current of high-speed winds near the tropopause blowing from a generally westerly direction and often exceeding a speed of 250 miles (402 kilometers) per hour

Examples of jet stream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the East, the northern branch of the jet stream tends to carry faster-moving, less intense storms, which can mean snowfall near or even below average, with temperatures closer to seasonal norms, AccuWeather said. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 This scenario would be more likely if the storm intensifies faster and gets guided north by a dip in the jet stream. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 Storms riding the jet stream can turn severe anytime southerly winds pull up warm, humid air from the Gulf. Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 The jet stream picked it up and carried it to the northeast, which is pretty common, and weather models did a pretty good job in forecasting its track into the Bering Sea. Rick Thoman, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jet stream

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jet stream was in 1947

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jet stream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jet%20stream. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

jet stream

noun
: a long narrow wandering current of high-speed winds blowing from a generally westerly direction several miles above the earth's surface

More from Merriam-Webster on jet stream

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