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 vortex has been forecast to move over Canada and the northern U.S. around mid-February. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

Harsh cold descended on the nation's midsection Monday as a polar vortex gripped the Rockies and Northern Plains after winter storms pummeled the eastern U.S. over the weekend, killing at least 13 people, including at least 11 in Kentucky who died during flooding from heavy rains. —CBS News, 17 Feb. 2025

The big picture: Experts told Axios that the cold outbreak is tied to the tropospheric polar vortex, as well as perhaps the vortex in the stratosphere. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025

Decker believes that as the global temperature increases on average, there will be more blasts of cold air because of recurring displacements to the vortex. —Bella Kubach, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 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

Rhymes for vortex

• cortex
• neocortex

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