countercurrent

1 of 2

noun

coun·​ter·​cur·​rent ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌkər-ənt 

-ˌkə-rənt

: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current

countercurrent

2 of 2

adjective

coun·​ter·​cur·​rent ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈkər-ənt 

-ˈkə-rənt

1

: flowing in an opposite direction

2

: involving flow of materials in opposite directions

countercurrent dialysis

countercurrently adverb

Examples of countercurrent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Key features include a sun deck, with a large pool with countercurrent jets and a Jacuzzi, and five balconies and sea terraces, one of which connects to a lower deck guest cabin. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025

The arrangement functions as a countercurrent heat exchanger, warming blood in the veins and cooling blood in the arteries. —Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

Similarly underdeveloped is any discussion of countercurrents from the right, which underwent its own midcentury cultural and intellectual renaissance. —Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021

And with it, there emerged an acid countercurrent. —David Van Biema, Time, 31 Dec. 2022

These birds rely on what’s called a countercurrent exchange to keep their feet from freezing. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Mar. 2023

Everything down to a layer of fat under their paw pads to keep their feet from freezing and a specialized circulatory mechanism called a countercurrent heat exchanger. —oregonlive, 26 Feb. 2023

While tech venture funding falters and big tech companies contract, a countercurrent is pushing new kinds of technology into the global economy, promising a paroxysm of productivity unseen since the advent of the Internet. —Sylvain Duranton, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023

This countercurrent heat exchange allows the core of the body to remain warm while limiting heat loss when the extremities are cold, but not so cold that tissue damage occurs. —Bridget B. Baker, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2019

Adjective

Its net income declined 18.6 percent to 93.9 million euros. L’Occitane’s move to go private is countercurrent to some other beauty companies’ recent strategies, with Puig’s initial public offering in May, and Galderma in Switzerland and Douglas in Germany floating in March. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 23 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1684, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for countercurrent

• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• undercurrent
• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• current

Kids Definition

countercurrent

noun

coun·​ter·​cur·​rent

ˈkaünt-ər-ˌkər-ənt,

-ˌkə-rənt

: a current flowing in a direction opposite to that of another current

Medical Definition

countercurrent

1 of 2 noun

coun·​ter·​cur·​rent ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌkər-ənt, -ˌkə-rənt 

: a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current

countercurrent

2 of 2 adjective

ˌkau̇nt-ər-ˈ 

1

: flowing in an opposite direction

2

: involving flow of materials in opposite directions

countercurrent dialysis

the countercurrent system of the kidney