vortex
noun
vor·tex
ˈvȯr-ˌteks 
plural vortices
ˈvȯr-tə-ˌsēz
also vortexes
ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz
also vortexes
ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz
1
: something that resembles a whirlpool
the hellish vortex of battle—
Time
Time2
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
The point of entry is a street kid named Melody Parker, who gets caught up in the WTO protests in Seattle in 1999 and follows a creature called Echo into a vortex where memory, history, music and perception begin to melt together.
—Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, the grand archways of the Vaults stage pulsated with raw energy that enveloped fans in a vortex of bass-thumping sounds.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2024
Would the supernatural horror teased in 2019 see the light of day or would it be sucked into the cancellation vortex?
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
In 2023, the detention center agreed to settle a $10 million lawsuit with inmates who described harsh conditions at the facility during the frigid polar vortex of 2019, according to The New York Times.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vortex 
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.
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, the grand archways of the Vaults stage pulsated with raw energy that enveloped fans in a vortex of bass-thumping sounds.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2024
Would the supernatural horror teased in 2019 see the light of day or would it be sucked into the cancellation vortex?
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
In 2023, the detention center agreed to settle a $10 million lawsuit with inmates who described harsh conditions at the facility during the frigid polar vortex of 2019, according to The New York Times.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for vortex
Articles Related to vortex
Dictionary Entries Near vortex
Cite this Entry
“Vortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vortex. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vortex
noun
vor·tex
ˈvȯr-ˌteks
plural vortices
ˈvȯrt-ə-ˌsēz
also vortexes
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share