vortex

noun

vor·​tex ˈvȯr-ˌteks 

plural vortices ˈvȯr-tə-ˌsēz  also vortexes ˈvȯr-ˌtek-səz 

1

: something that resembles a whirlpool

the hellish vortex of battle

—Time

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

Synonyms

• gulf
• maelstrom
• whirlpool

Examples of vortex in a Sentence

a boat sucked down into the vortex

Recent Examples on the Web

The polar vortex, a whirlpool of Arctic air typically perched atop the North Pole, dislodged and descended into the Midwest causing the bitter cold. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025

As happened earlier this month, this latest cold snap came from a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air usually trapped around the North Pole. —Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2025

More:Powerful polar vortex in the stratosphere brings frigid temperatures to US A 'significant' amount of Lake Erie is covered with ice Footage obtained by USA TODAY shows the view of the Manitoulin at a standstill in the middle of the lake. —Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

Their inauguration looked different from previous years, in part because it was held inside the Capitol Rotunda, instead of outside the US Capitol, as a polar vortex threatened much of the nation with below freezing temperatures. —Vox Staff, Vox, 23 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

vortex

noun

vor·​tex ˈvȯr-ˌteks 

plural vortices ˈvȯrt-ə-ˌsēz  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