ef·flux·ion
eˈfləkshən 
ə̇ˈ-
plural -s
: efflux
—used especially of time
mere effluxion of time has given him a long range of observation
his term of office expired by effluxion of time previously fixed
Examples of efflux in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
And—most importantly of all—how does the influx (or efflux) of extreme wealth change even the most humble among us?
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
This influx and efflux of water can therefore make polish more likely to chip.
—Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 4 Jan. 2024
The drugs also caused the bacteria to express more efflux pump proteins that shunt antibiotics out of the cell.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 26 Jan. 2023
The aviation slowdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, which largely grounded air travel, likely resulted in a surge of insect activity, given that there was less noise and jet efflux to deter insects, the regulators found.
—Mike Cherney, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2022
This type of antibiotic efflux is a common problem with the tetracycline antibiotics, often used to treat infections like urinary tract infections, chlamydia and acne.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021
The virus Chan selected latches on to what is known as an efflux pump on the bacterial cell wall.
—Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2019
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Noun
Resistance to cisplatin can develop when cancer cells become more effective at repairing DNA damage or adapt to reduce drug uptake or to increase drug efflux (their ability to actively pump the drug out of the cell).
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
And—most importantly of all—how does the influx (or efflux) of extreme wealth change even the most humble among us?
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
This influx and efflux of water can therefore make polish more likely to chip.
—Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 4 Jan. 2024
The drugs also caused the bacteria to express more efflux pump proteins that shunt antibiotics out of the cell.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 26 Jan. 2023
The aviation slowdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, which largely grounded air travel, likely resulted in a surge of insect activity, given that there was less noise and jet efflux to deter insects, the regulators found.
—Mike Cherney, WSJ, 23 Nov. 2022
This type of antibiotic efflux is a common problem with the tetracycline antibiotics, often used to treat infections like urinary tract infections, chlamydia and acne.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021
The virus Chan selected latches on to what is known as an efflux pump on the bacterial cell wall.
—Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Efflux.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/efflux. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
efflux
noun
ef·flux
ˈef-ˌləks
1
: something that is given off in or as if in a stream
the red-blood-cell sodium ion efflux
2
: the action or process of flowing or seeming to flow out
the uptake and efflux of sodium ions
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