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Showing results for backflow. Search instead for backflows.
Synonyms

backflow

American  
[bak-floh] / ˈbækˌfloʊ /

noun

  1. a flow of a liquid opposite to the usual or desired direction.


Etymology

Origin of backflow

First recorded in 1880–85; back 2 + flow


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The water that flows through the pipes to us is made safe in part by physics—a pressure loss can lead to backflow of groundwater, sewage, and soil contaminants.

From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026

In Ventura County, flooding damaged roads, bridges, levees and park facilities, inundating the Ventura Wastewater Facility and causing water to backflow into the system, Newsom wrote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2024

A diligent plumber will also calculate the pressure loss from the height of the bathroom above the water meter, the pressure loss through the water meter, a backflow preventer and any other pressure regulators.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

Götherström agrees that repeated backflow is the most likely scenario given the available evidence.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 11, 2023

This was to prevent a backflow of contaminated air from coming into the staging room.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

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