jet stream

NOUN

upper-atmospheric wind

Synonyms

WEAK

air stream geostrophic wind gradient wind high-altitude wind high-speed wind stream prevailing wind upper-atmosphere wind

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The jet stream also shifts northward, typically pushing winter storms toward the Pacific Northwest and Canada while leaving swaths of California drier than average, especially in the south.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

"Just as small shifts in the jet stream can change the weather, small changes in these cellular winds could change how diseases begin or progress," Cathy said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

This sharp temperature contrast resulted in a strengthening jet stream - strong winds high in the atmosphere which travels eastward into the North Atlantic.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Cold Arctic air, transported south over North America by the polar jet stream in the winter, meets warmer air over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Seeing Mole, the skunk calmly waited, then looked at him, aimed his rear end, and let loose a jet stream of musk.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George