ripcurrent
nounUK /ˈrɪp ˌkʌr.ənt/
US /ˈrɪp ˌkɝː.ənt/
A strong stream of water that pulls away from the beach and can carry swimmers out to sea.
The lifeguard warned everyone to stay out of the water because of a dangerous ripcurrent.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A narrow, fast-moving channel of water flowing back out to sea between breaking waves.
The ripcurrent formed a clear channel of darker water between the sandbars.
3. A strong outward flow that can pull a person away from the shore.
He got caught in a ripcurrent and had to swim parallel to the beach to escape.
4. A current that moves quickly in a direction opposite to the main flow.
The boat drifted sideways as the ripcurrent pushed against it.