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 blast of Arctic air comes on the heels of a cold snap in the United States last weekend, also brought on by the polar vortex. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Dec. 2025

Forecasters are expecting another round of chilly temperatures to settle over midwestern and eastern states, courtesy of a polar vortex system. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

But many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand and send blasts of frigid air southward along the jet stream, the National Weather Service said. —Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Dec. 2025

Two more are expected in the coming weeks as the polar vortex—a wide expanse of cold, swirling air located over the poles—forces frigid air southward. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 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