jet stream

noun

: a long narrow meandering current of high-speed winds near the tropopause blowing from a generally westerly direction and often exceeding a speed of 250 miles (402 kilometers) per hour

Examples of jet stream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web More controversial research argues that a decrease in Arctic sea ice could affect the jet stream and its associated weather patterns, and even lead to more favorable fire conditions in the western U.S. Many changes are already underway, said Meier of the NSIDC. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 During El Niño, the core of the jet stream extends farther eastward over the Pacific compared to La Niña winters. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 In fact, the jet stream was so strong on Saturday that three planes were all clocked flying at more than 800 mph, well above the 767 mph measurement that marks the speed of sound. Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024 Larson said temperatures next week will drop to levels more typical of February as the jet stream will change its position, allowing colder air to infiltrate in from Canada across much of the central and eastern U.S. Snow could accompany the cold in portions of the Northeast. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2024 Forecasters said a a ridge of high pressure is beginning to build now that the atmosphere has been cleared of the weather jet stream pattern that led to the atmospheric river. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 The team used techniques that are usually used to study geophysical flows–large-scale oceanic and atmospheric air currents like the jet stream. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 31 Jan. 2024 But just how fast was the jet stream blowing to push these planes up past the 800 mph mark? Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024 During an El Nino year, weakened trade winds allow warm water to be pushed into the west coast of the Americas, causing the Pacific jet stream to drop farther south than on normal years. David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jet stream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jet stream was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near jet stream

Cite this Entry

“Jet stream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jet%20stream. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jet stream

noun
: a long narrow wandering current of high-speed winds blowing from a generally westerly direction several miles above the earth's surface

More from Merriam-Webster on jet stream

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