tide

1 of 3

noun

ˈtīd 

1

a(1)

: the alternate rising and falling of the surface of the ocean and of water bodies (such as gulfs and bays) connected with the ocean that occurs usually twice a day and is the result of differing gravitational forces exerted at different parts of the earth by another body (such as the moon or sun)

(2)

: a less marked rising and falling of an inland body of water

(3)

: a periodic movement in the earth's crust caused by the same forces that produce ocean tides

(4)

: a periodic distortion on one celestial body caused by the gravitational attraction of another

(5)

: one of the periodic movements of the atmosphere resembling those of the ocean and produced by gravitation or diurnal temperature changes

b

: flood tide sense 1

2

a

: something that fluctuates like the tides of the sea

the tide of public opinion

b

: a large and increasing quantity or volume

a tide of opportunists

a swelling tide of criticism

3

a

: a flowing stream : current

b

: the waters of the ocean

c

: the overflow of a flooding stream

4

a

: a fit or opportune time : opportunity

b

: an ecclesiastical anniversary or festival

also : its season

—usually used in combination

Eastertide

c

obsolete : a space of time : period

tideless

ˈtīd-ləs 

adjective

tide

2 of 3

verb (1)

tided; tiding

intransitive verb

: to flow as or in a tide : surge

transitive verb

: to cause to float with or as if with the tide

tide

3 of 3

verb (2)

tided; tiding

intransitive verb

archaic

: betide, befall

Synonyms

Noun

• current
• direction
• drift
• leaning
• run
• tendency
• trend
• wind

Examples of tide in a Sentence

Noun

a chart of the tides

The boat got swept away in the tide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Be sure to check the local tide chart (Willamette and Columbia can be found here). —Christine Clarridge, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024

Just look at how the tide is turning on the broadcast narrative. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

Packing a sandwich or other solid foods in your carry-on can also tide you or small children over until landing. —Geoff Whitmore, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

King tides, while visually stunning, can transform the coastal environment into a perilous zone. —Katu Staff, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, time, from Old English tīd; akin to Old High German zīt time and perhaps to Greek daiesthai to divide

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English tīdan; akin to Middle Dutch tiden to go, come, Old English tīd time

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Verb (1)

1593, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tide

• ebb tide
• flood tide
• go/swim with/against the tide
• high tide
• low tide
• neap tide
• red tide
• spring tide
• stem the tide
• the tide turns
• tide over
• tide pool

Kids Definition

tide

1 of 2 noun

ˈtīd 

1

: the alternate rising and falling of the surface of the ocean that occurs twice a day and is caused by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon occurring unequally on different parts of the earth

2

: the flow of the incoming or outgoing tide

3

: something that rises and falls like the tides of the sea

tide

2 of 2 verb

tided; tiding

: to enable to overcome or put up with a difficulty

money to tide us over

Medical Definition

tide

noun

ˈtīd 

: a temporary increase or decrease in a specified substance or quality in the body or one of its systems

a postprandial alkaline tide, the typical rise in urinary pH associated with gastric acid secretion

—E. J. Jacobson & Gerhard Fuchs