Definition of "tide" in English

noun

1. The daily fluctuation in the level of the sea caused by the gravitational influence of the moon and the sun.

   • The Bristol Channel has some of the world's largest tides.

2. The associated flow of water.

   • A lot of driftwood was brought in on the tide.

3. Any similar gravitational effect on Earth or other body.

   • As well as sea tides, there are much smaller land tides.
   • By far the largest tides on Europa are those caused by the gravitational attraction of Jupiter.

4. A high-volume flow, literal or figurative; a current or flood.

   • The sewer burst, and a tide of sewage poured into nearby properties.
   • A tide of people crossed over the border.
   • We've encountered a tide of problems.

5. The tendency or direction of causes, influences, or events; course; current.

   • The tide of public opinion has turned.

6. (chronology, obsolete, except in liturgy) Time, notably anniversary, period or season linked to an ecclesiastical feast.

7. (regional, archaic) A time.

   • The doctor's no good this tide.

8. (regional, archaic, in compounds) A point or period of time identified or described by a qualifier.

   • Eventide, noontide, morrowtide, nighttide, moontide, harvesttide, wintertide, summertide, springtide, autumntide etc.

9. (mining) The period of twelve hours.

10. Something which changes like the tides of the sea.

11. (obsolete) Violent confluence.

verb

1. (transitive) To cause to float with the tide; to drive or carry with the tide or stream.

2. (by extension, originally from the idea of being carried by the tide, now chiefly in the phrase tide over) To carry over or through a problem or difficulty.

3. (intransitive, rare) To pour a tide or flood.

   • The ocean tided most impressively.

4. (intransitive, nautical) To work into or out of a river or harbor by drifting with the tide and anchoring when it becomes adverse.

verb

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To happen, occur.