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 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

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