El Niño

Definitions of El Niño
  1. noun
    (oceanography) a warm ocean current that flows along the equator from the date line and south off the coast of Ecuador at Christmas time
    synonyms: El Nino
    see moresee less
    types:
    El Nino southern oscillation
    a more intense El Nino that occurs every few years when the welling up of cold nutrient-rich water does not occur; kills plankton and fish and affects weather patterns
    type of:
    ocean current
    the steady flow of surface ocean water in a prevailing direction
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘El Niño'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family