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backflow

noun

back·​flow ˈbak-ˌflō How to pronounce backflow (audio)
: a flowing back or returning especially toward a source

Examples of backflow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plumbing system is not installed to preclude backflow. Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Nov. 2025 As the stomach works to pass food contents into the small intestine, there is an increased chance of heartburn – a backflow of acidic stomach contents that can cause a burning sensation in your chest or sour taste in your mouth. Bryn Beeder, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025 The restaurant also had significant physical deficiencies, including a broken handwashing sink and a malfunctioning main drain causing backflow issues. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Nov. 2025 Urinary tract abnormalities such as blockages or reflux (backflow of urine toward the kidneys) and the use of urinary catheters also heighten infection risk. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for backflow

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backflow was in 1878

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backflow. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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