jet stream

noun

: a long narrow meandering current of high-speed winds near the tropopause blowing from a generally westerly direction and often exceeding a speed of 250 miles (402 kilometers) per hour

Examples of jet stream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The ongoing warmth is due to the position of the jet stream, which has been unusually far north, AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines told USA TODAY. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024 This is due to the behavior of the jet stream — essentially a river of air that storms flow through — which often shifts north during a La Niña winter. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024 Simon and her team of researchers had Hubble zoom in on the Spot, trapped between two jet streams, to examine its shape, size, and subtle color changes. New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2024 Seasonal storm tracks associated with jet stream patterns. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for jet stream 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jet stream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jet stream was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near jet stream

Cite this Entry

“Jet stream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jet%20stream. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

jet stream

noun
: a long narrow wandering current of high-speed winds blowing from a generally westerly direction several miles above the earth's surface

More from Merriam-Webster on jet stream

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