vortex

noun

vor·​tex ˈvȯr-ˌteks How to pronounce vortex (audio)
plural vortices ˈvȯr-tə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vortex (audio) also vortexes ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz How to pronounce vortex (audio)
1
: something that resembles a whirlpool
the hellish vortex of battleTime
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

Examples of vortex in a Sentence

a boat sucked down into the vortex
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over the longer term, forecasters will watch whether the vortex remains stable or weakens later this fall. Brandi D. Addison, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Bruni Tedeschi captures her in that vortex — her pulmonary illness confining her to bed one minute and her artistic drives reanimating her with defiant spirit the next. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 Sensitive and gentle, and then pained and rageful, his transformation into a swirling vortex of destruction is captivating to watch and deserves all the plaudits. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025 But then, in August of 2024, it got stuck — again — this time slowly twirling in a kind of ocean vortex known as the Taylor column. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vortex

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vortex was in 1652

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vortex. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

vortex

noun
vor·​tex ˈvȯr-ˌteks How to pronounce vortex (audio)
plural vortices ˈvȯrt-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce vortex (audio) 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 How to pronounce vortex (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on vortex

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