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 of vortex

• gulf
• whirlpool
• maelstrom
• swirl

Examples of vortex in a Sentence

a boat sucked down into the vortex

Recent Examples on the Web

The often misunderstood polar vortex is awakening again Along with the cold, rounds of lake-effect snow are forecast for the Great Lakes region and the Northeast. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

The new type of vortex burner can adjust the flame direction along the height of the combustion chamber. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025

Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona's most iconic hikes, with its unique rock formations and vortexes that hold special healing powers. —Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025

These vortices are called flux ropes, and satellites had previously observed small flux ropes—but our work helped uncover how they are generated. —JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 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