vortex

noun

vor·​tex ˈvȯr-ˌteks 

plural vortices ˈvȯr-tə-ˌsēz  also vortexes ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz 

1

: something that resembles a whirlpool

the hellish vortex of battle

—Time

2

a

: a mass of fluid (such as a liquid) with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity or vacuum bodies subject to its action

especially : whirlpool, eddy

b

: a region within a body of fluid in which the fluid elements have an angular velocity

Synonyms

• gulf
• maelstrom
• whirlpool

Examples of vortex in a Sentence

a boat sucked down into the vortex

Recent Examples on the Web

Highly nonlinear filaments, vortices and eddies start forming patterns and structured networks. —IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2025

The opposite of a heat dome is the polar vortex, when cold Arctic air plunges southward and stalls. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2025

Video by McCarty shows the towering vortex, with the rainbow adding a colorful accent to an otherwise gray, gloomy skyline. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 18 June 2025

The vortexes near Wimberly, a small ranching city roughly halfway between San Antonio and Austin, spun out winds of 65 mph to 85 mph, each measuring EF0 on the 1 to 5 scale of tornado strength, and produced tree damage and minor structural damage, the weather service said. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin vortic-, vortex, from Latin vertex, vortex whirlpool — more at vertex

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vortex

• cortex
• neocortex

Kids Definition

vortex

noun

vor·​tex ˈvȯr-ˌteks 

plural vortices ˈvȯrt-ə-ˌsēz  also vortexes

: a mass of whirling fluid forming a cavity in the center toward which things are drawn : whirlpool

Medical Definition

vortex

transitive verb

vor·​tex ˈvȯ(ə)r-ˌteks 

: to mix (as the contents of a test tube) by means of a rapid whirling or circular motion

vortex air into a solution

vortexing noun