eddy

1 of 2

noun

ed·​dy ˈe-dē How to pronounce eddy (audio)
plural eddies
1
a
: a current of water or air running contrary to the main current
especially : a circular current : whirlpool
b
: something moving similarly
2
: a contrary or circular current (as of thought or policy)

eddy

2 of 2

verb

eddied; eddying

transitive verb

: to cause to move in an eddy

intransitive verb

: to move in an eddy or in the manner of an eddy

Examples of eddy in a Sentence

Noun The boat was caught in a powerful eddy. Verb The wind gusted and eddied around us. The waves swirled and eddied against the pier.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The closest comparison on Earth to an anticyclone is an ocean eddy, a swirl of water cut off from the normal ocean current with currents that move fast around a center while the center moves slowly through the ocean. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024 Further Reading Swirling patterns in Starry Night match those in gassy star nurseries In physics, turbulence relates to strong, sudden movements within air or water, usually marked by eddies and vortices. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 Sep. 2024
Verb
Spiders are also keen observers of the forest’s breath, barely perceptible air currents eddying through the trees, and place their webs strategically to intercept these drafts — and the insects that use them to boost their transit through the woods. Rick Borchelt, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2024 The crowd eddied, some with batons dancing concentrically around the wheel of fire, others collecting around two young men in white. Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for eddy 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English (Scots) ydy, probably from Old Norse itha

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of eddy was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near eddy

Cite this Entry

“Eddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eddy. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

eddy

1 of 2 noun
ed·​dy ˈed-ē How to pronounce eddy (audio)
plural eddies
: a current of air or water running against the main current or in a circle

eddy

2 of 2 verb
eddied; eddying
: to move in an eddy or in a way that forms an eddy

Biographical Definition

Eddy

biographical name

Ed·​dy ˈe-dē How to pronounce Eddy (audio)
Mary (Morse) 1821–1910 née Baker American founder of the Christian Science Church
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