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

Accordingly, the regions where milky seas are most commonly spotted experience upwelling, when strong winds churn cold, nutrient-rich water toward the surface of the ocean. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025

Mantle plumes are convectional upwellings of hot material from the deep mantle that can cause localized melting and deformations to the overlying crust. —New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025

Now, a process called upwelling is responsible for pushing the acid into the aquatic food chain. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025

The recent observations suggest complex atmospheric circulation patterns on Uranus during this period, with the data most sensitive to the methane distribution indicating a downwelling in the polar regions and upwelling in other areas, according to the NASA statement. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 1 Apr. 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