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Synonyms

ebb tide

American  

noun

  1. the reflux of the tide or the tide at ebb; ebb.


ebb tide Scientific  
/ ĕb /
  1. The period between high tide and low tide during which water flows away from the shore.

  2. Also called falling tide

  3. Compare flood tide See more at tide


Etymology

Origin of ebb tide

First recorded in 1830–40

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.

For the first four hours, she was lucky: An ebb tide carried her about 10 miles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

In coasts with large tidal differences, water collects in "rock pools" that warm up quickly on the ebb tide before the next flood washes in with colder seawater.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2024

At these locations of extreme tidal range, a person who ventures out onto the seafloor exposed during ebb tide may not be able to outrun the advancing water during flood tide.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

We were drifting the ebb tide over the same rocks.

From New York Times • Aug. 11, 2014

There were fish to be had on the ebb tide, too, though nowhere near as many.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson