rip current

noun

: a strong usually narrow surface current flowing outward from a shore that results from the return flow of waves and wind-driven water

Examples of rip current in a Sentence

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.
There is also a Moderate Risk of rip currents expected for Pender County. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026 Fresh to strong winds will produce dangerous boating conditions, high surf, life-threatening rip currents, and moderate beach erosion through at least the first half of the coming week, forecasters said. — Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Very rough surf and rip currents are also likely with this coastal storm. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 He gets pummeled by waves and rip currents while negotiating the famously difficult shore dive but is soon swimming among brightly colored marine life and undulating kelp forests that filter sunlight from the surface. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rip current

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rip current was in 1936

Rhymes for rip current

See All Rhymes for rip current

Browse Nearby Words

rip cord
rip current
ripe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rip current.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rip%20current. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on rip current

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rip current

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All