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
• whirlpool
• maelstrom
• swirl

Examples of vortex in a Sentence

a boat sucked down into the vortex

Recent Examples on the Web

Roughly a week after a polar vortex swept through Texas with snow and freezing temperatures, another cold snap is barreling into the Lone Star State just in time for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

If the conditions are right, the vortex completes formation and starts spinning. —Unnati Ashar, Space.com, 2 July 2025

But a main source of those data is being abruptly shut off On television broadcasts and forecast maps, hurricanes appear as two-dimensional swirling vortices, belying their extremely complex three-dimensional structure. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 27 June 2025

The poster features a swirling vortex with Stewart and Novak in silhouette, and its dramatic color scheme is echoed by the pen. —Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 20 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