rip current

noun

1. undertow.

rip current

1. A strong, narrow surface current that flows rapidly away from the shore. Rip currents form when excess water that has accumulated along a shore due to wind and waves rushes back suddenly to deeper waters.

2. Also called rip tide

Word History and Origins

Origin of rip current¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Two miles away in Ocean Beach, a surfer alerted the lifeguard tower that a dog had been swept into a rip current and was drifting out to sea.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There is also an increased risk of drowning from large breakers, strong rip currents and dangerous waves on rocks through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.

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Signs on the way to the beach warn about rip currents.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While it is not expected to make landfall in the U.S., its effects are far-reaching, with life-threatening rip currents and surf along much of the East Coast that makes swimming dangerous.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But those looking to flock to the coast during the holiday weekend should also be on alert: a south swell at the beach could create dangerously strong rip currents.

Read more on Los Angeles Times