tide

noun

\ ˈtīd

Definition of tide

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a(1) : the alternate rising and falling of the surface of the ocean and of water bodies (such as gulfs and bays) connected with the ocean that occurs usually twice a day and is the result of differing gravitational forces exerted at different parts of the earth by another body (such as the moon or sun)

(2) : a less marked rising and falling of an inland body of water

(3) : a periodic movement in the earth's crust caused by the same forces that produce ocean tides

(4) : a periodic distortion on one celestial body caused by the gravitational attraction of another

(5) : one of the periodic movements of the atmosphere resembling those of the ocean and produced by gravitation or diurnal temperature changes

b : flood tide sense 1

2a : something that fluctuates like the tides of the sea the tide of public opinion

b : a large and increasing quantity or volume a tide of opportunists a swelling tide of criticism

3a : a flowing stream : current

b : the waters of the ocean

c : the overflow of a flooding stream

4a : a fit or opportune time : opportunity

b : an ecclesiastical anniversary or festival also : its season —usually used in combination Eastertide

c obsolete : a space of time : period

tide

verb (1)

tided; tiding

Definition of tide (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to flow as or in a tide : surge

transitive verb

: to cause to float with or as if with the tide

tide

verb (2)

tided; tiding

Definition of tide (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

archaic

: betide, befall

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Examples of tide in a Sentence

Noun

a chart of the tides The boat got swept away in the tide.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The tides turned following Victor Hugo's 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, which renewed interest in preserving the run-down landmark. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "President Macron Wants to See Notre-Dame Cathedral Restored in Five Years," 16 Apr. 2019 But the tides are turning, and actors are beginning to take more risks. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Somehow Rami Malek Pulled Off a Red Suit on the Red Carpet," 10 Jan. 2019 By 1944, as the tide of World War II turned against Japan, Shimomura’s father urged the family to move to the countryside to avoid American bombing raids. — Harrison Smith, The Seattle Times, "Osamu Shimomura, atomic blast survivor and Nobel-winning chemist, dies at 90," 23 Oct. 2018 With companies like Airbnb and Uber consistently engaged in battles with local regulators, the tide may have turned for Big Tech. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Scooter companies, seeking to shape regulations, hire transit advocates," 17 Oct. 2018 Hell lost some of its purchase on humankind in the 19th century, when new scientific theories such as Darwinism eroded the authority of the Bible and the tides of sentiment turned against God’s wrath in favor of His mercy. — Scott G. Bruce, WSJ, "Do We Still Need to Believe in Hell?," 13 Sep. 2018 But now, the political tides have turned in South Korea once again, and the leftist Moon is working hard to set a new tone with North Korea. — Kelly Kasulis, Time, "Why South Korea’s Conservative Christians Don’t Want to Get Cozier With the North," 26 Apr. 2018 Miranda Hobbes didn’t get enough credit for her adult law-firm wardrobe and her diplomatic approach to casual wear, but fast-forward to present day, and the tides are turning. — Allie Briggs, refinery29.com, "We Should All Be Mirandas — & Wear This T-Shirt," 21 Mar. 2018 The tides quickly turned in the second half as the Sixers held the Nets to just two offensive rebounds and zero second-chance points through the final 28 minutes of the game. — Sarah Todd, Philly.com, "Sixers 120, Nets 97: T.J. McConnell's tough defense, a boosted bench, and other quick observations," 11 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The housewife turned comedian will make her triumphant return to your TV screen in just a few short weeks, so to tide fans over Amazon just released an official trailer for the new episodes. — D. Elizabeth, Glamour, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Is Back With a New Full-Length Season 2 Trailer," 24 Oct. 2018 Nutrition: Bring enough food to tide you over on your hike, plus extra snacks in case you are unexpectedly delayed on your return. — Crystal Paul, The Seattle Times, "Expert tips and 10 essentials for staying safe in the wilderness," 21 Aug. 2018 To tide us over until our TV screens are once again graced by the Reagan family, CBS released a brand new trailer for the upcoming episodes. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "The New 'Blue Bloods' Trailer for Season 9 Is Here and It's So Intense," 26 Sep. 2018 Here are three recent innovations to tide us over until Bose reinvents suspension entirely. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "3 Technologies That Are Making Car Suspensions Smarter Than Ever," 31 Jan. 2017 But on the bright side, Ari just released a three-and-a-half-minute behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the video to tide you over until then. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Ariana Grande Just Shared Behind-the-Scenes Footage From Her 'Thank U, Next' Video," 29 Nov. 2018 And if the new trailer is any indication, there’s plenty of juicy plot lines (and steamy love scenes for Meredith!) to tide us over until Callie’s ready to scrub in again. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "'Grey's Anatomy' Star Sara Ramirez Says She's Open to a Callie Return and Fans Are Freaking Out," 27 Sep. 2018 Faced with a similar cash crunch years ago, Vazquez had resorted to a payday loan, a high-interest, short term loan meant to tide a borrower over until the next paycheck. — Fox News, "A lifeline for workers who face hardship between paychecks," 6 Aug. 2018 Faced with a similar cash crunch years ago, Vazquez had resorted to a payday loan, a high-interest, short-term loan meant to tide a borrower over until the next paycheck. — Alexandra Olson, The Seattle Times, "Companies provide lifeline for workers who face hardship between paychecks," 6 Aug. 2018

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

History and Etymology for tide

Noun

Middle English, time, from Old English tīd; akin to Old High German zīt time and perhaps to Greek daiesthai to divide

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English tīdan; akin to Middle Dutch tiden to go, come, Old English tīd time

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Last Updated

21 May 2019

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Time Traveler for tide

The first known use of tide was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for tide

tide

noun

English Language Learners Definition of tide

: the regular upward and downward movement of the level of the ocean that is caused by the pull of the Sun and the Moon on the Earth

: the flow of the ocean's water as the tide rises or falls

: the way in which something is changing or developing

See the full definition for tide in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tide

noun

\ ˈtīd

Kids Definition of tide

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the rising and falling of the surface of the ocean caused twice daily by the attraction of the sun and the moon

2 : something that rises and falls or rushes in a mass The tide of public opinion often changes.

tide

verb

tided; tiding

Kids Definition of tide (Entry 2 of 2)

: to help to overcome or put up with a difficulty A snack will tide me over until dinner.

tide

noun

\ ˈtīd

Medical Definition of tide

: a temporary increase or decrease in a specified substance or quality in the body or one of its systems a postprandial alkaline tide, the typical rise in urinary pH associated with gastric acid secretion— E. J. Jacobson & Gerhard Fuchs