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

In a reverse process—artificial upwelling—cooler, nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean would be pumped to the surface to spur phytoplankton growth. —ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025

This underwater canyon creates nutrient-rich cold-water upwellings that attract a wide variety of whales and seabirds, according to Monterey Bay Whale Watch, which offers a range of whale watching tours. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

The next summer, currents brought nutrient-rich water to the surface in a process called cold water upwelling. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 26 July 2025

Forecasters attribute the chill to upwelling, which occurs when the wind blows at an angle to the coast, pushing the warm, upper layer of water away from the shore and allowing cooler, deeper water to rise. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 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