A riptide is an area of sea where two different currents meet or where the water is extremely deep. Riptides make the water very rough and dangerous.
riptide in British English
(ˈrɪpˌtaɪd)
noun
1. Also called: rip, tide-rip
a stretch of turbulent water in the sea, caused by the meeting of currents or abrupt changes in depth
2. Also called: rip current
a strong current, esp one flowing outwards from the shore, causing disturbance on the surface
riptide in American English
(ˈrɪpˌtaɪd)
noun
a current opposing other currents, producing violently disturbed water; esp., the strong, narrow flow of sea water that rushes seaward after incoming waves pile up on the shore
: also rip tide
Word origin
rip2 + tide1
Examples of 'riptide' in a sentence
riptide
It was like being caught in a riptide - the wind was pulling as hard as the deadliest current.