TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
VORTICE [7 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2023-10-04
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Astrophysics and Cosmography
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- cosmic string
1, record 1, English, cosmic%20string
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Any of a class of hypothetical supermassive astronomical objects that are extremely thin but are millions of light years long and that are postulated to have formed very early in the history of the universe. 2, record 1, English, - cosmic%20string
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Astrophysique et cosmographie
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- corde cosmique
1, record 1, French, corde%20cosmique
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Les cosmologistes et les physiciens des particules se sont beaucoup penchés sur l'hypothèse des cordes cosmiques parce qu'elle semblait donner un scénario naturel et prometteur pour comprendre l'origine des galaxies et leur rassemblement sous forme d'amas et de filaments d'amas de galaxies, l'un des problèmes centraux de la cosmologie. On pense que ces structures proviennent initialement de fluctuations de densité dans le plasma de particules de l'Univers primordial. Elles auraient servi en quelque sorte de germes de nucléation pour la matière normale, provoquant son effondrement gravitationnel dans les zones les plus denses. 2, record 1, French, - corde%20cosmique
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Astrofísica y cosmografía
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- cuerda cósmica
1, record 1, Spanish, cuerda%20c%C3%B3smica
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[…] en las etapas iniciales de formación del universo, durante su expansión y enfriamiento, podrían haberse formado defectos lineales en el fluido primordial. Parte de la energía del campo de Higgs podría haber quedado atrapada en estos finos tubos, a los que se denominó cuerdas cósmicas. La trama del espacio-tiempo en el entorno de una cuerda cósmica adoptaría una forma cónica similar a la que adquiere la superficie de un fluido en torno a un vórtice. 2, record 1, Spanish, - cuerda%20c%C3%B3smica
Record 2 - internal organization data 2017-04-12
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric Physics
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- funnel cloud
1, record 2, English, funnel%20cloud
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- tornado cloud 2, record 2, English, tornado%20cloud
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Cloud formed at the core of a waterspout or tornado vortex, sometimes extending right down to the ground, caused by the reduction of pressure at the centre of the vortex. 3, record 2, English, - funnel%20cloud
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Physique de l'atmosphère
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- nuage en entonnoir
1, record 2, French, nuage%20en%20entonnoir
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Nuage formé au cœur du tourbillon d'une trombe d'eau ou d'une tornade, descendant parfois jusqu'au sol, causé par la réduction de pression au centre du tourbillon. 2, record 2, French, - nuage%20en%20entonnoir
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Física de la atmósfera
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- nube de embudo
1, record 2, Spanish, nube%20de%20embudo
feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Nube que se forma en el centro de una tromba de agua o en el vórtice de un tornado que se extiende a veces hasta el suelo y que se origina por la reducción de la presión en el centro del vórtice. 1, record 2, Spanish, - nube%20de%20embudo
Record 3 - internal organization data 2014-03-21
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- polar vortex
1, record 3, English, polar%20vortex
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- circumpolar vortex 2, record 3, English, circumpolar%20vortex
correct
- polar cyclone 3, record 3, English, polar%20cyclone
- polar low 3, record 3, English, polar%20low
- circumpolar whirl 3, record 3, English, circumpolar%20whirl
- polar whirl 4, record 3, English, polar%20whirl
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The planetary-scale cyclonic circulation, centered generally in the polar regions, extending from the middle troposphere to the stratosphere. 5, record 3, English, - polar%20vortex
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The westerly airflow is largely a manifestation of the thermal wind above the polar frontal zone of middle and subpolar latitudes. The vortex is strongest in winter when the pole-to-equator temperature gradient is strongest. In the Northern Hemisphere, the vortex has two centers in the mean, one near Baffin Island and the other over northeast Siberia. 5, record 3, English, - polar%20vortex
Record 3, Key term(s)
- circum-polar whirl
- circum-polar vortex
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- tourbillon circumpolaire
1, record 3, French, tourbillon%20circumpolaire
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- tourbillon circompolaire 2, record 3, French, tourbillon%20circompolaire
correct, masculine noun
- tourbillon polaire 2, record 3, French, tourbillon%20polaire
correct, masculine noun
- vortex polaire 3, record 3, French, vortex%20polaire
see observation, masculine noun
- cyclone polaire 2, record 3, French, cyclone%20polaire
masculine noun
- dépression polaire 2, record 3, French, d%C3%A9pression%20polaire
feminine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Tourbillon créé en haute troposphère, au-dessus de chacun des pôles géographiques, par la circulation cyclonique des vents d'ouest. 2, record 3, French, - tourbillon%20circumpolaire
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le phénomène du trou d'ozone est renforcé par l'existence de ce que l'on nomme le vortex polaire, un modèle de circulation particulier à la stratosphère au-dessus du pôle sud au cours de l'hiver austral et qui isole cette région de son environnement [...] 4, record 3, French, - tourbillon%20circumpolaire
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Le tourbillon circumpolaire isole la couche d'ozone polaire des masses d'air environnantes, plus riches en ozone. 2, record 3, French, - tourbillon%20circumpolaire
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Dans les textes techniques récents, probablement sous l'influence de l'anglais, c'est le terme «vortex polaire» qu'on emploie généralement. 2, record 3, French, - tourbillon%20circumpolaire
Record 3, Key term(s)
- vortex circumpolaire
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- vórtice polar
1, record 3, Spanish, v%C3%B3rtice%20polar
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
- torbellino polar 2, record 3, Spanish, torbellino%20polar
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Zona semi aislada de circulación ciclónica constituida cada invierno en la estratosfera polar. 3, record 3, Spanish, - v%C3%B3rtice%20polar
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
El vórtice polar austral es más fuerte que el septentrional. El vórtice aumenta el agotamiento del ozono al retener aire muy frío que contiene aerosoles y en el cual pueden tener lugar las reacciones de destrucción del ozono. 3, record 3, Spanish, - v%C3%B3rtice%20polar
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Al fenómeno que azota EE. UU. [Estados Unidos] se lo denomina “vórtice polar”. Es un sistema de baja presión profunda que se extiende a los niveles superiores de la atmósfera y hace descender masas heladas de aire que, por lo general, circulan alrededor del Círculo Polar Ártico. 4, record 3, Spanish, - v%C3%B3rtice%20polar
Record 4 - internal organization data 2004-10-28
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- vortex cloud street
1, record 4, English, vortex%20cloud%20street
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Cloud street associated with a roll vortex. 1, record 4, English, - vortex%20cloud%20street
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- rue de nuages à tourbillon
1, record 4, French, rue%20de%20nuages%20%C3%A0%20tourbillon
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Rue de nuages associée à un rouleau tourbillonnaire. 1, record 4, French, - rue%20de%20nuages%20%C3%A0%20tourbillon
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- calle de nubes en un vórtice
1, record 4, Spanish, calle%20de%20nubes%20en%20un%20v%C3%B3rtice
feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Calle de nubes asociada a un vórtice en rodillo. 1, record 4, Spanish, - calle%20de%20nubes%20en%20un%20v%C3%B3rtice
Record 5 - internal organization data 2004-10-20
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- tuba
1, record 5, English, tuba
correct, see observation
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
- tub 2, record 5, English, tub
correct, see observation
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- pendant cloud 3, record 5, English, pendant%20cloud
see observation
- funnel cloud 4, record 5, English, funnel%20cloud
see observation
- tornado cloud 5, record 5, English, tornado%20cloud
see observation
- pendant 6, record 5, English, pendant
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Cloud column or inverted cloud cone, protruding from a cloud base; it is a cloudy manifestation of a more or less intense vortex. 7, record 5, English, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Funnel cloud is a condensation funnel extending from the base of a towering cumulus or Cb [cumulonimbus], associated with a rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground (and hence different from a tornado). A condensation funnel is a tornado, not a funnel cloud, if either a) it is in contact with the ground or b) a debris cloud or dust whirl is visible beneath it. 8, record 5, English, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 CONT
The tornado and severe weather associated storm produce a recognizable radar echo structural organization resulting from an intense moist updraft. Some of these considerations are: ... A low-level pendant exists generally perpendicular to the storm motion and beneath the echo overhang, or a bounded weak echo region (BWER) exists. This pendant may be absent in low precipitation supercells. 6, record 5, English, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
This supplementary cloud feature occurs with Cumulonimbus and, less often, with Cumulus. 7, record 5, English, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
tuba: ... when it reaches the earth's surface it constitutes the cloudy manifestation of an intense vortex, namely, a tornado or waterspout. 7, record 5, English, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 3 OBS
tuba: Obsolete; commonly called funnel cloud; also called pendant cloud, tornado cloud. 5, record 5, English, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 4 OBS
Some sources consider "tuba" and "funnel cloud" as synonyms, however in the International meteorological vocabulary [OMMV] these terms have separate entries. 9, record 5, English, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 5 OBS
Compare with "funnel column". 10, record 5, English, - tuba
Record 5, Key term(s)
- pendent
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- tuba
1, record 5, French, tuba
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
- tub 2, record 5, French, tub
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Colonne nuageuse ou cône nuageux renversé en forme d'entonnoir, sortant de la base d'un nuage; c'est une manifestation nuageuse d'un tourbillon de vent plus ou moins intense. 3, record 5, French, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Il existe plusieurs variantes de tornades. Toutefois, on observe habituellement cinq étapes : la mise en place : une colonne d'air en rotation se développe au sein d'un cumulonimbus, puis se dirige vers le sol. Un nuage en forme d'entonnoir (le tuba) descend en tourbillonnant vers le sol; la naissance : en atteignant le sol, la colonne devient, par définition, une tornade [...] 4, record 5, French, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 CONT
[Le] tuba [est une] colonne ou cône nuageux en rotation rapide qui se développe de la base du nuage vers la surface, c'est la partie visible d'une tornade ou d'une trombe. 5, record 5, French, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
tuba [...] Cette particularité supplémentaire se présente avec les cumulonimbus et, plus rarement, avec les cumulus. 3, record 5, French, - tuba
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- tuba
1, record 5, Spanish, tuba
feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
- tub 1, record 5, Spanish, tub
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Nube con una forma de columna o de cono invertido que emerge de la base de una nube; constituye la manifestación en forma de nube de un vórtice más o menos intenso. 1, record 5, Spanish, - tuba
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Esta particularidad suplementaria se observa en los Cumulonimbus y, con menor frecuencia, en los Cumulus. 1, record 5, Spanish, - tuba
Record 6 - internal organization data 2000-02-25
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Meteorology
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- arctic stratospheric vortex
1, record 6, English, arctic%20stratospheric%20vortex
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Persistent westerly stratospheric circulation during winter in the Northern Hemisphere; it is most intense between latitudes 60 and 70°N and increases with height up to the stratopause. Though of jet stream strength, its maximum speeds are less than half those of the Antarctic stratospheric vortex. 1, record 6, English, - arctic%20stratospheric%20vortex
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Météorologie
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- tourbillon stratosphérique arctique
1, record 6, French, tourbillon%20stratosph%C3%A9rique%20arctique
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Circulation stratosphérique d'ouest persistante, en hiver, dans l'hémisphère Nord; elle est le plus intense entre les latitudes 60 et 70 °N et augmente avec l'altitude jusqu'à la stratopause. Bien qu'elle ait la force du courant-jet, ses vitesses maximales sont moins de la moitié de celles du tourbillon stratosphérique antarctique. 1, record 6, French, - tourbillon%20stratosph%C3%A9rique%20arctique
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Meteorología
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- vórtice estratosférico ártico
1, record 6, Spanish, v%C3%B3rtice%20estratosf%C3%A9rico%20%C3%A1rtico
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Persistente circulación estratosférica, con vientos del oeste, presente durante el invierno en el hemisferio Norte; alcanza su mayor intensidad entre los 60° y los 70°N de latitud, acentuándose con la altura hasta el nivel de la estratopausa. Aunque tiene velocidades comparables con las de una corriente en chorro, los valores máximos son inferiores en más de un 50% a los observados en el vórtice estratosférico antártico. 1, record 6, Spanish, - v%C3%B3rtice%20estratosf%C3%A9rico%20%C3%A1rtico
Record 7 - internal organization data 1995-11-21
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Atmospheric Physics
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- orographic vortex
1, record 7, English, orographic%20vortex
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Stationary eddy, rotating about a horizontal axis, which sometimes accompanies large-amplitude lee waves. 1, record 7, English, - orographic%20vortex
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Physique de l'atmosphère
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- tourbillon orographique
1, record 7, French, tourbillon%20orographique
correct, masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Tourbillon stationnaire, en rotation autour d'un axe horizontal, qui accompagne parfois les ondes sous le vent de grande amplitude. 1, record 7, French, - tourbillon%20orographique
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Física de la atmósfera
Record 7, Main entry term, Spanish
- vórtice orográfico
1, record 7, Spanish, v%C3%B3rtice%20orogr%C3%A1fico
correct, masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 7, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Vórtice estacionario de eje horizontal que a veces acompaña a ondas a sotavento de gran amplitud. 1, record 7, Spanish, - v%C3%B3rtice%20orogr%C3%A1fico
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


