countercurrent

1 of 2

noun

coun·​ter·​cur·​rent ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌkər-ənt How to pronounce countercurrent (audio)
-ˌkə-rənt
: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current

countercurrent

2 of 2

adjective

coun·​ter·​cur·​rent ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkər-ənt How to pronounce countercurrent (audio)
-ˈkə-rənt
1
: flowing in an opposite direction
2
: involving flow of materials in opposite directions
countercurrent dialysis
countercurrently adverb

Examples of countercurrent in a Sentence

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.
Noun
The arrangement functions as a countercurrent heat exchanger, warming blood in the veins and cooling blood in the arteries. Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Similarly underdeveloped is any discussion of countercurrents from the right, which underwent its own midcentury cultural and intellectual renaissance. Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021 And with it, there emerged an acid countercurrent. David Van Biema, Time, 31 Dec. 2022 These birds rely on what’s called a countercurrent exchange to keep their feet from freezing. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Mar. 2023 Everything down to a layer of fat under their paw pads to keep their feet from freezing and a specialized circulatory mechanism called a countercurrent heat exchanger. oregonlive, 26 Feb. 2023 While tech venture funding falters and big tech companies contract, a countercurrent is pushing new kinds of technology into the global economy, promising a paroxysm of productivity unseen since the advent of the Internet. Sylvain Duranton, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 This countercurrent heat exchange allows the core of the body to remain warm while limiting heat loss when the extremities are cold, but not so cold that tissue damage occurs. Bridget B. Baker, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2019 For instance, countercurrent circulation evolved independently in totally unrelated organisms as a simple and efficient way to exchange heat, oxygen, and ions. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 14 Nov. 2022
Adjective
Its net income declined 18.6 percent to 93.9 million euros. L’Occitane’s move to go private is countercurrent to some other beauty companies’ recent strategies, with Puig’s initial public offering in May, and Galderma in Switzerland and Douglas in Germany floating in March. Jennifer Weil, WWD, 23 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1684, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of countercurrent was in 1684

Dictionary Entries Near countercurrent

Cite this Entry

“Countercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countercurrent. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

countercurrent

noun
coun·​ter·​cur·​rent
ˈkaünt-ər-ˌkər-ənt,
-ˌkə-rənt
: a current flowing in a direction opposite to that of another current

Medical Definition

countercurrent

1 of 2 noun
coun·​ter·​cur·​rent ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌkər-ənt, -ˌkə-rənt How to pronounce countercurrent (audio)
: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current

countercurrent

2 of 2 adjective
1
: flowing in an opposite direction
2
: involving flow of materials in opposite directions
countercurrent dialysis
the countercurrent system of the kidney

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