often attributive
1
a
: a natural movement of air of any velocity
especially
: the earth's air or the gas surrounding a planet in natural motion horizontally
b
: an artificially produced movement of air
c
2
3
4
: gas generated in the stomach or the intestines
pass wind
5
plural winds
a
: musical wind instruments especially as distinguished from strings and percussion : the wind instruments of an orchestra
b
: players of wind instruments
6
a
: slight information especially about something secret : intimation
got wind of the plan
b
: air carrying a scent (as of a hunter or game)
7
: something that is insubstantial: such as
a
: mere talk : idle words
b
c
: vain self-satisfaction
8
a
: a direction from which the wind may blow : a point of the compass
especially
: one of the cardinal points
b
: the direction from which the wind is blowing
9
a
: compressed air or gas
b
archaic
: air
windlessly
adverb
winded; winding; winds
1
: to make short of breath
2
: to detect or follow by scent
3
: to expose to the air or wind : dry by exposing to air
4
: to regulate the wind supply of (an organ pipe)
5
: to rest (an animal, such as a horse) in order to allow the breath to be recovered
wound
ˈwau̇nd 
also winded; winding
also winded; winding
1
b
: to encircle or cover with something pliable : bind with loops or layers
c
: to raise to a high level (as of excitement or tension)
—usually used with up
e(1)
: to hoist or haul by means of a rope or chain and a windlass
(2)
: to move (a ship) by hauling on a capstan
2
a
: to traverse on a curving course
the river winds the valley
b
: to cause to move in a curving line or path
c
: to effect by or as if by curving
d(1)
: to cause (something, such as a ship) to change direction : turn
(2)
: to turn (a ship) end for end
e
archaic
: to turn the course of
especially
: to lead (a person) as one wishes
1
a
: to have a curving course or shape : extend in curves
b
: to proceed as if by winding
2
: to move so as to encircle something
3
: to turn when lying at anchor
1
: to cause (something, such as a horn) to sound by blowing : blow
2
: to sound (a call or note) on a horn
wound a rousing call—
R. L. Stevenson
R. L. Stevenson
: to produce a sound on a horn
Synonyms
Examples of wind in a Sentence
Noun (1)
there's a wind coming from underneath the front door
the winds of public opinion are changing on this issue
the speech contained nothing of substance and was just a lot of wind
Noun (2)
there's one last easterly wind to the river before it empties into the sea
Verb (3)
flowering vines wind around the porch's graceful columns
self-interest winds itself into everything that he does—even his alleged favors for other people
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
West winds of 10-13 mph could reach up to 23 mph and become northwest after midnight.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024
The wildly popular attraction, which winds through a mile of the tightly packed urban garden, includes tens of thousands of glittering LED lights, special drinks and more.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wind 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Milton intensified from a Category 2 hurricane into a Category 5 storm within hours Monday, generating winds of 180 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
West winds of 10-13 mph could reach up to 23 mph and become northwest after midnight.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
The facility, with its winding paths surrounded by greenery, serves as a place to learn about and appreciate nature while getting a respite from the rush of city life.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024
The wildly popular attraction, which winds through a mile of the tightly packed urban garden, includes tens of thousands of glittering LED lights, special drinks and more.
—John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wind
Dictionary Entries Near wind
Cite this Entry
“Wind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wind
1 of 6 noun1
: a movement of air
2
: something that has force or influence
the changing winds of political opinion
3
: breath sense 2a
the fall knocked the wind out of me
4
: gas produced in the stomach or the intestines
5
: something unimportant
especially
: idle words
6
a
: air carrying a scent (as of a hunter or game)
b
: slight information especially about something secret
got wind of our plans
7
plural
: the wind instruments of a band or orchestra
8
: the direction from which the wind is blowing
wind
2 of 6 verb1
: to get a scent of
the dogs winded game
2
: to cause to be out of breath
the long climb winded us
3
: to allow to rest so as to recover breath
wind a horse
wind
4 of 6 verb
wound
ˈwau̇nd
also winded; winding
also winded; winding
1
: to move in a series of twists and turns
a river winding through the valley
2
3
a
: to encircle or cover with something flexible
b
: to coil completely or repeatedly about an object : twine
wind thread on a spool
4
: to lift, pull, move, or operate by means of a rope, cable, or chain and a winch
wind up a pail from a well
5
: to tighten the spring of
wind a clock
wind up a toy train
winder
noun
wind
6 of 6 adjectiveˈwind
: of or relating to wind instruments
the wind section of an orchestra
Etymology
Noun
Old English wind "the natural movement of air"
Verb
Old English windan "to twist, move with force"
Geographical Definition
Wind
geographical name
river in west central Wyoming
Note: The Wind River is the upper course of the Bighorn River.
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