upwelling

noun

up·​well·​ing ˌəp-ˈwe-liŋ 

: the process or an instance of rising or appearing to rise to the surface and flowing outward

especially : the process of upward movement to the ocean surface of deeper cold usually nutrient-rich waters especially along some shores due to the offshore movement of surface waters (as from the action of winds and the Coriolis force)

Examples of upwelling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The study found that natural upwellings in the middle of the Atlantic provide both nitrogen and phosphorus for the blooms. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026

This can lead to upwelling of deeper nutrient rich waters that can help fuel phytoplankton growth, which is a key foundation in the marine food web. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Enbridge found an upwelling of groundwater there in August 2022, nearly a year after construction on the 340-mile Minnesota segment of Line 3 came online in 2021. —Jimmy Lovrien, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025

This sinking process causes hotter material to rise in its place, creating a thermal upwelling. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for upwelling

• bookselling
• compelling
• dispelling
• excelling
• expelling
• foretelling
• impelling
• indwelling
• labelling
• marvelling
• misspelling
• modelling

Kids Definition

upwelling

noun

up·​well·​ing ˌəp-ˈwel-iŋ 

: the process or an example of rising or appearing to rise to the surface and flowing outward

especially : the process of movement of deeper cooler layers of ocean water that are often rich in nourishing substances to the surface