reflux

1 of 2

noun

re·​flux ˈrē-ˌfləks 

1

a

: a flowing back

b

: gastroesophageal reflux

2

: a process of refluxing or condition of being refluxed

reflux

2 of 2

verb

re·​flux ri-ˈfləks 

ˈrē-ˌfləks

refluxed; refluxing; refluxes

transitive verb

: to cause to flow back or return

especially : to heat such that the vapors formed condense and return to be heated again

intransitive verb

: to flow back

Examples of reflux in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This bloating is often painful and is usually accompanied by chronic constipation and/or diarrhea, gas, belching, and sometimes weight changes, nausea and reflux. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

And no, this is not a case where more is better: Taking greater than 6 g (6,000 mg) of ginger in a day can actually cause GI distress, including reflux, heartburn, and diarrhea. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 21 Oct. 2024

Verb

On recalling Zantac What to do for the fizzle and roil When refluxing guts sour and spoil? —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 31 Dec. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Medieval Latin refluxus, from Latin re- + fluxus flow — more at flux

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1926, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing reflux

• acid reflux
• gastroesophageal reflux
• gastroesophageal reflux disease

Kids Definition

reflux

noun

re·​flux

ˈrē-ˌfləks

: a flowing back : ebb

Medical Definition

reflux

1 of 3 noun

re·​flux ˈrē-ˌfləks 

1

a

: a flowing back : regurgitation

reflux of gastric acid

mitral valve reflux

b

: gastroesophageal reflux

2

: a process of refluxing or condition of being refluxed

the sample was hydrolyzed … under reflux for 24 hours

—T. Y. Ho et al.

reflux

2 of 3 adjective

: of, relating to, involving, or caused by reflux

reflux esophagitis

reflux

3 of 3 transitive verb

: to cause to flow back or return

especially : to heat (as under a reflux condenser) so that the vapors formed condense to a liquid that flows back to be heated again

intransitive verb

: to flow back

damage to the esophageal mucous membrane when gastric acid refluxed into the esophagus