backflow

B3A1C3K5F4L1O1W4

noun

The flow of a fluid (through a pipe etc.) in a direction opposite to that which is normal or intended.

Similar
backfluxrefluxbackflowing
Less commonScrabble 22
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Meanings

nounbackflow (countable and uncountable, plural backflows)

plural backflows

  1. countableuncountableThe flow of a fluid (through a pipe etc.) in a direction opposite to that which is normal or intended.

    Synonyms: backflux, reflux

verbbackflow (third-person singular simple present backflows, present participle backflowing, simple past and past participle backflowed)

present singular third person backflows · participle present backflowing · participle past backflowed · past backflowed

  1. intransitivetransitiveTo flow in the wrong or backward direction.

    Synonyms: backflux, reflux

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe flow of a fluid (through a pipe etc.) in a direction opposite to that which is normal or intended.

Similar
backfluxreflux

verbTo flow in the wrong or backward direction.

Similar
backfluxreflux

More synonyms by meaning

nouna flow that returns toward its source

Similar
backflowing
Broader
flowflowing
Also see
backflowingbackfluxreflux

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From back + flow.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Hungarian visszaáramlás
  • visszaáramlásthe flow of a fluid in a direction opposite to that which is normal or intended
Polish przepływ zwrotny
  • przepływ zwrotnythe flow of a fluid in a direction opposite to that which is normal or intended

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

flowback
Cite this entry
APA

backflow. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/backflow

MLA

“backflow.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/backflow. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “backflow,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/backflow.

Source: backflow on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.