English Reference

Word

cfs

Definition

n. Stands for Cubic Feet per Second. A way to measure how much water is flowing through a river or pipe every second.

n. Abbreviation for Cubic Feet per Second. A unit of flow rate used primarily in hydrology and civil engineering to quantify the volume of water passing a specific point in one second.

Examples

“The river flow reached 500 cfs after the heavy rain.”

“Engineers monitored the dam release to ensure the flow did not exceed 2,000 cfs, which could cause downstream flooding.”

“Hydrologists use cfs measurements to calibrate flood models, as even a minor increase in flow rate can significantly alter the erosion patterns along the riverbank over time.”

Examples

simple

“The river flow reached 500 cfs after the heavy rain.”

contextual

“Engineers monitored the dam release to ensure the flow did not exceed 2,000 cfs, which could cause downstream flooding.”

complex

“Hydrologists use cfs measurements to calibrate flood models, as even a minor increase in flow rate can significantly alter the erosion patterns along the riverbank over time.”

Usage

Commonly used in technical reports and water management; often treated as a collective unit of measurement.

Real-World Examples

“But few are neglected like the devastating chronic condition ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome).”
The Guardian · 24 Sept 2026
“Her research was not restricted to arthritis – it ranged far and wide on conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and when she died she was investigating the origins of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).”
The Guardian · 28 Aug 2026

Domain

Aviation

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/cfs

English Reference