flux

1 of 2

noun

ˈfləks 

1

: a flowing of fluid from the body: such as

a

: diarrhea

b

: dysentery

2

: a continuous moving on or passing by (as of a stream)

3

: a continued flow : flood

a flux of words

4

a

: influx

b

: change, fluctuation

in a state of flux

the flux following the death of the emperor

5

: a substance used to promote fusion (as of metals or minerals)

especially : one (such as rosin) applied to surfaces to be joined by soldering, brazing, or welding to clean and free them from oxide and promote their union

6

: the rate of transfer of fluid, particles, or energy across a given surface

flux

2 of 2

verb

fluxed; fluxing; fluxes

transitive verb

1

: to cause to become fluid

2

: to treat with a flux

intransitive verb

: to become fluid : fuse

Synonyms

Noun

• change
• fluctuation
• inconstancy
• oscillation

Verb

• deliquesce
• fuse
• liquefy
• liquify
• melt
• run
• thaw

Examples of flux in a Sentence

Noun

the English language is always in a state of flux

January typically brings a great flux of returns to department stores.

Verb

a solid will flux more quickly under pressure

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For decades, the area was a Latino hub alongside Westwood, Auraria and La Alma Lincoln Park — neighborhoods whose demographics are also in flux today. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024

Part of that may be in the fact that the women’s roles were in flux as casting was ongoing — Jassi and Keiarna, for example, had no idea who would get the formal flute versus who would be a friend of until the end of filming. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024

Verb

Those signs can flux when sleep deprived, traveling or stressed at work as well. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 31 Jan. 2020

Next, clean and flux a shutoff valve for the cold side and slide it over the tubing end place and solder it in place. —Steve Willson, Popular Mechanics, 24 Aug. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin fluxus, from Latin, flow, from fluere to flow — more at fluid

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing flux

• luminous flux
• magnetic flux
• radiant flux

Kids Definition

flux

1 of 2 noun

ˈfləks 

1

a

: a flowing in

flux of the tide

b

: a series of changes : a state of continuous change

2

: a substance used to aid the melting or joining (as by removing impurities) of metals or minerals

flux

2 of 2 verb

1

: to become or cause to become fluid : fuse

2

: to treat with a flux

Medical Definition

flux

noun

ˈfləks 

1

a

: a flowing or discharge of fluid from the body especially when excessive or abnormal: as

(1)

: diarrhea

(2)

: dysentery

b

: the matter discharged in a flux

2

: the rate of transfer of fluid, particles, or energy across a given surface