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

Extreme weather and resilience spending Utilities and regulators are responding to wildfire seasons, polar vortices, and heat domes by investing in resilience—undergrounding lines, advanced protection systems, expanded tree‑trimming, and passing the costs on to customers. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026

The rapid warming of the Arctic may be making such weakening of the polar vortex more common, but researchers aren’t yet sure. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026

Recent weather extremes in the South and East are examples of what global warming can cause — a warmer Arctic that disrupts the polar vortex and pushes cold weather and snow farther south. —Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026

Could early February's blast of cold in the northeastern United States be one of the last appearances of our wintertime foe, the polar vortex? —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026

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