backwash

[ bak-wosh, -wawsh ]

noun

1. Nautical. water thrown backward by the motion of oars, propellers, paddle wheels, etc.
2. Aeronautics. the portion of the wash of an aircraft that flows to the rear, usually created by the power plant. Compare wash ( def 31 ).
3. a condition, usually undesirable, that continues long after the event which caused it.

   Synonyms: upshot, result, consequence, aftermath

verb (used with object)

1. to affect, as by hitting, rocking, or splashing, with a backwash:

   a powerful cutter backwashing the skiers.

2. to clean out (a clogged filter) by reversing the flow of fluid:

   Backwash the swimming pool's filters regularly.

backwash

/ ˈbækˌwɒʃ /

noun

1. a sucking movement of water, such as that of retreating waves Compare swash
2. water washed backwards by the motion of oars or other propelling devices
3. the backward flow of air set up by an aircraft's engines
4. a condition resulting from a previous event; repercussion

verb

1. tr to remove oil from (combed wool)

Other Words From

• backwasher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of backwash¹

First recorded in 1765–75; back ² + wash

Example Sentences

The Royal Family has had a difficult start to 2024 - uncertain in the face of health problems and surrounded by a backwash of rumour and speculation.

From BBC

Grynkewich said he was worried that Russian upgrades to Iran’s drone technology could “backwash” to Tehran, making those bomb-carrying devices even more dangerous.

From Seattle Times

"Hell no," I replied, grabbing my cup, "I don't like backwash."

From Salon

"It's still the backwash of the freeze-in... the crude oil number implies that the refineries are not up and running," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

From Reuters

Rather than absorbing wave energy, seawalls and riprap can create backwash that collides with incoming waves, engineers realized, setting off supercharged turbulence that chews away at shoreline protection.

From Seattle Times