tide
1the periodic rise and fall of the waters of the ocean and its inlets, produced by the attraction of the moon and sun, and occurring about every 12 hours.
the inflow, outflow, or current of water at any given place resulting from the waves of tides.
a stream or current.
anything that alternately rises and falls, increases and decreases, etc.: the tide of the seasons.
current, tendency, or drift, as of events or ideas: the tide of international events.
any extreme or critical period or condition: The tide of her illness is at its height.
a season or period in the course of the year, day, etc. (now used chiefly in combination): wintertide; eventide.
Ecclesiastical. a period of time that includes and follows an anniversary, festival, etc.
Archaic. a suitable time or occasion.
Obsolete. an extent of time.
to flow as the tide; flow to and fro.
to float or drift with the tide.
to carry, as the tide does.
tide over,
to assist in getting over a period of difficulty or distress.
to surmount (a difficulty, obstacle, etc.); survive.
Idioms about tide
turn the tide, to reverse the course of events, especially from one extreme to another: The Battle of Saratoga turned the tide of the American Revolution.
Origin of tide
1Other words from tide
- tideful, adjective
- tideless, adjective
- tide·less·ness, noun
- tidelike, adjective
Other definitions for tide (2 of 2)
to happen or befall.
Origin of tide
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use tide in a sentence
Outside, the wind ran high in the forest, breaking and sweeping tidelike over the reefs of treetops.
The Children's Book of Christmas Stories | Various
British Dictionary definitions for tide (1 of 2)
/ (taɪd) /
the cyclic rise and fall of sea level caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. There are usually two high tides and two low tides in each lunar day: See also tide-generating force, neap tide, spring tide
the current, ebb, or flow of water at a specified place resulting from these changes in level: the tide is coming in
a widespread tendency or movement: the tide of resentment against the government
a critical point in time; turning point: the tide of his fortunes
Northern English dialect a fair or holiday
(in combination) a season or time: Christmastide
rare any body of mobile water, such as a stream
archaic a favourable opportunity
to carry or be carried with or as if with the tide
(intr) to ebb and flow like the tide
Origin of tide
1Derived forms of tide
- tideless, adjective
- tidelike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for tide (2 of 2)
/ (taɪd) /
(intr) archaic to happen
Origin of tide
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for tide
[ tīd ]
The regular rise and fall in the surface level of the Earth's oceans, seas, and bays caused by the gravitational attraction of the Moon and to a lesser extent of the Sun. The maximum high tides (or spring tides) occur when the Moon and Sun are directly aligned with Earth, so that their gravitational pull on Earth's waters is along the same line and is reinforced. The lowest high tides (or neap tides) occur when the Moon and Sun are at right angles to each other, so that their gravitational pull on Earth's waters originates from two different directions and is mitigated. Tides vary greatly by region and are influenced by sea-floor topography, storms, and water currents. See also ebb tide flood tide neap tide spring tide.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with tide
In addition to the idiom beginning with tide
- tide over
also see:
- stem the tide
- swim against the current (tide)
- swim with the tide
- time and tide
- turn of the tide
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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