a portion of a large body of water or mass of air that moves in a certain direction:The raft was swept into the current and carried out to sea.
Electricitythe movement or flow of electric charge, measured in amperes:The current was switched off so that the train crews could walk safely on the tracks.
a general tendency, course, or trend, as of thinking or ideas:a current of unrest among the students.
cur•rent•ly,adv.:This style is currently in fashion.See -cur-.
passing in time; belonging to the time actually passing:the current month.
prevalent; customary:the current practice.
popular; in vogue:current fashions.
new; present; most recent:the current issue of a publication.
publicly reported or known:a rumor that is current.
passing from one to another; circulating, as a coin.
[Archaic.]running; flowing.
[Obs.]genuine; authentic.
n.
a flowing; flow, as of a river.
something that flows, as a stream.
a large portion of air, large body of water, etc., moving in a certain direction.
the speed at which such flow moves; velocity of flow.
ElectricitySee electric current.
a course, as of time or events; the main course; the general tendency.
Latin as above; see -ent
Anglo-French
Latin current- (stem of currēns) running (present participle of currere); replacing Middle English curraunt
1250–1300
cur′rent•ly, adv.
2. common, widespread, popular, rife. Current,present,prevailing,prevalent refer to something generally or commonly in use. That which is current is in general circulation or a matter of common knowledge or acceptance:current usage in English.Present refers to that which is in use now; it always has the sense of time:present customs.That which is prevailing is that which has superseded others:prevailing fashion.That which is prevalent exists or is spread widely:a prevalent idea.3. stylish, fashionable, modish. 10. See stream.