Definition of tide
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 changesb : flood tide 1
2a : something that fluctuates like the tides of the sea the tide of public opinionb : a large and increasing quantity or volume a tide of opportunists a swelling tide of criticism
3a : a flowing stream : currentb : the waters of the oceanc : the overflow of a flooding stream
4a : a fit or opportune time : opportunityb : an ecclesiastical anniversary or festival; also : its season —usually used in combination Eastertidec obsolete : a space of time : period
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of tide in a sentence
a chart of the tides
The boat got swept away in the tide.
Origin and Etymology of tide
Middle English, time, from Old English tīd; akin to Old High German zīt time and perhaps to Greek daiesthai to divide
First Known Use: before 12th century
tide
Definition of tide
tided
;tiding
intransitive verb
: to flow as or in a tide : surge
transitive verb
: to cause to float with or as if with the tide
1593
First Known Use of tide
1593
Origin and Etymology of tide
Middle English, from Old English tīdan; akin to Middle Dutch tiden to go, come, Old English tīd time
First Known Use: before 12th century
TIDE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of tide for English Language Learners
-
: 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
TIDE Defined for Kids
Definition of tide for Students
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.
History for tide
The English word tide at first meant “time” or “a space of time.” Later the word was used for the space of time between the rising and falling of the sea's surface. Then tide came to mean “the rising and falling of the sea.” This is the most common meaning of the word today.
Definition of tide for Students
tided
;tiding
: to help to overcome or put up with a difficulty A snack will tide me over until dinner.
Medical Dictionary
tide
playMedical 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
Learn More about tide
-
See words that rhyme with tide Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tide Spanish Central: Translation of tide Nglish: Translation of tide for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tide for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tide
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up tide? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!