coun·ter·cur·rent
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌkər-ənt 
-ˌkə-rənt
: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current
coun·ter·cur·rent
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkər-ənt
-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
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
Jennifer Weil, WWD, 23 July 2024
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'countercurrent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near countercurrent
Cite this Entry
“Countercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countercurrent. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
countercurrent
1 of 2 noun
coun·ter·cur·rent
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌkər-ənt, -ˌkə-rənt
: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current
countercurrent
2 of 2 adjective1
: 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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