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downwelling

American  
[daun-wel-ing] / ˈdaʊnˌwɛl ɪŋ /

noun

Oceanography.
  1. a downward current of surface water in the ocean, usually caused by differences in the density of seawater.


Etymology

Origin of downwelling

First recorded in 1965–70; down 1 + well 2 + -ing 1


Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

That allows the sea level to rise a little bit, “and it creates what we call a downwelling oceanic Kelvin wave,” said Jon Gottschalck, the Climate Prediction Center’s operational prediction branch chief.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

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