In
fluid dynamics, a
vortex is a region in a fluid in which the flow is
rotating around an axis line, which may be straight or curved. The plural of
vortex is either
vortices or
vortexes. Vortices form in stirred fluids, and may be observed in phenomena such as
smoke rings,
whirlpools in the
wake of boat, or the winds surrounding a
tornado or
dust devil.