1
a
: having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass and that easily yield to pressure : capable of flowing
a long screw that forces the fluid chocolate through fine openings—
Technical Survey
Technical Survey
b
: subject to change or movement
boundaries became fluid
2
: characterized by or employing a smooth easy style
the ballerina's fluid movements
fluid recitation of his lines
3
a
: available for various uses
a fluid computer program
b
: liquid sense 4
fluid assets
fluidly
adverb
fluidness
noun
: a substance (such as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container
Synonyms
Examples of fluid in a Sentence
Adjective
a substance in a fluid state
warm the jam until it is fluid, then spread it over the cake
Noun
Please check the fluids in the car's engine.
She needs to drink plenty of fluids.
Fluid leaked from the car's engine.
a bottle of yellow fluid
Recent Examples on the WebRoderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024
The camera does too, with Paul Yee’s fluid cinematography lending the proceedings an immediacy befitting the life-or-death stakes.
—Michael Nordine, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Indianapolis companies Roche Diagnostic and Eli Lilly and Co., are collaborating to develop a more accessible and affordable option to supplement the spinal tap fluid sample test and PET scan tests that are available today.
—Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024
If the fluid level drops significantly, Hyundai said, the driver would see a warning light.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
Sentencing is a much more fluid process, with both sides allowed to make sweeping arguments to try to make their case to the judge.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
This negative pressure is thought to modify fluid dynamics within the eye and its supporting blood vessels.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2024
Far from that, research published in Healthline also shows that a fluid loss of about 1.4% can significantly impact mood and concentration while significantly increasing the frequency of headaches.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Other factors, such as age, fluid retention, and stress, are more likely to cause weight gain than the pill.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Cynthia Sewell, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
At the base, the charger port has a protective cap to keep any outside cleaning fluid or water from damaging it.
—Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Players essentially act like a vampire and steal their enemies fluids.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
Seductive superyacht concepts on social media promise a life in which families waft unbounded through fluid, open-plan, indoor-outdoor spaces devoid of clutter and supporting walls.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024
The body’s internal environment is rich in fluids that are disturbed by the heart’s constant mechanical motion.
—Pengju Li, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2024
Earlier this month, the model posted another vlog explaining that during surgery the doctors cut open the scar in the back of her head to clean and drain fluid out so there are no infections.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
His body was dragged 273 feet, the impact so severe that investigators found radiator fluid on his body.
—Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
Instead, getting plenty of rest and fluids, avoiding spicy or acidic foods, and taking over-the-counter pain meds like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to lessen the discomfort are all that's usually needed.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Adjective
These things are always fluid, but that’s the current thought process.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2024
The camera does too, with Paul Yee’s fluid cinematography lending the proceedings an immediacy befitting the life-or-death stakes.
—Michael Nordine, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
Indianapolis companies Roche Diagnostic and Eli Lilly and Co., are collaborating to develop a more accessible and affordable option to supplement the spinal tap fluid sample test and PET scan tests that are available today.
—Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Apr. 2024
If the fluid level drops significantly, Hyundai said, the driver would see a warning light.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
Sentencing is a much more fluid process, with both sides allowed to make sweeping arguments to try to make their case to the judge.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
This negative pressure is thought to modify fluid dynamics within the eye and its supporting blood vessels.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Mar. 2024
Far from that, research published in Healthline also shows that a fluid loss of about 1.4% can significantly impact mood and concentration while significantly increasing the frequency of headaches.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Other factors, such as age, fluid retention, and stress, are more likely to cause weight gain than the pill.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
Do not mix oil with other fluids such as gasoline or antifreeze.
—Cynthia Sewell, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
At the base, the charger port has a protective cap to keep any outside cleaning fluid or water from damaging it.
—Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Players essentially act like a vampire and steal their enemies fluids.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024
Seductive superyacht concepts on social media promise a life in which families waft unbounded through fluid, open-plan, indoor-outdoor spaces devoid of clutter and supporting walls.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024
The body’s internal environment is rich in fluids that are disturbed by the heart’s constant mechanical motion.
—Pengju Li, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2024
Earlier this month, the model posted another vlog explaining that during surgery the doctors cut open the scar in the back of her head to clean and drain fluid out so there are no infections.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
His body was dragged 273 feet, the impact so severe that investigators found radiator fluid on his body.
—Ryan Lillis, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
Instead, getting plenty of rest and fluids, avoiding spicy or acidic foods, and taking over-the-counter pain meds like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to lessen the discomfort are all that's usually needed.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fluid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fluid
Cite this Entry
“Fluid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluid. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fluid
1 of 2 adjective
flu·id
ˈflü-əd 
1
a
: capable of flowing like a liquid or gas
b
: likely or tending to change or move
2
: showing a smooth easy style
fluid movements
fluidly
adverb
fluidness
noun
fluid
2 of 2 noun
: a substance tending to flow or take the shape of its container
liquids and gases are fluids
Etymology
Adjective
from French fluide or Latin fluidus, both meaning "fluid, able to flow," from Latin fluere "to flow" — related to affluent, fluent, flush entry 2, influence, superfluous
Medical Definition
fluid
1 of 2 adjective
flu·id
ˈflü-əd
: having particles that easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass and that easily yield to pressure : capable of flowing
fluid
2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as a liquid or gas) tending to flow or conform to the outline of its container
specifically
: one in the body of an animal or plant see cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid
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