backwash
noun
back·wash
ˈbak-ˌwȯsh 
-ˌwäsh
1
: a backward flow or movement (as of water or air) produced especially by a propelling force
also
: the fluid that is moving backward
2
Examples of backwash in a Sentence
a general recession was the backwash of the crisis in the housing market
Recent Examples on the Web
In the early Cretaceous, while the region was a oceanic basin, large amount of tree resin was rapidly swept out from a nearby coast to the open ocean by the backwash from one or more tsunamis.
—
David Bressan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Other boats were damaged by being tossed onto the wooden piers, then floating back off on the backwash.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024
Long story short, more bleach was applied and my hair started to melt away in straggly clumps at the backwash.
—Humeara Mohamed, refinery29.com, 7 June 2024
Below them, harbor seals appeared in the backwash of coves.
—Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backwash
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David Bressan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Other boats were damaged by being tossed onto the wooden piers, then floating back off on the backwash.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024
Long story short, more bleach was applied and my hair started to melt away in straggly clumps at the backwash.
—Humeara Mohamed, refinery29.com, 7 June 2024
Below them, harbor seals appeared in the backwash of coves.
—Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backwash
Cite this Entry
“Backwash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backwash. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backwash
noun
back·wash
ˈbak-ˌwȯsh
-ˌwäsh
: backward movement (as of water or air) produced by a propelling force (as the motion of oars)
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