headwind

noun

head·​wind ˈhed-ˌwind 

plural headwinds

1

: a wind having the opposite general direction to a course of movement (as of an aircraft)

2

: a force or influence that inhibits progress

Power-plant construction is facing headwinds in the U.S. as renewable energy projects and slack demand throw the economics of new generators into question.

—Thomas Black

For generations, the tribe has been leaning into cultural headwinds to preserve a language on the brink of extinction.

—Kevin Simpson

The plan faces political headwinds from both sides of the aisle …

—Heidi M. Przybyla

Examples of headwind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The president is fighting against historical headwinds for the party in power and, like President Joe Biden before him, is navigating voter anxiety about the cost of living in America. —David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2026

Higher natural gas prices are expected to add further inflationary pressure and growth headwinds, particularly in Europe and Asia, with risks skewed toward larger impacts if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the bank wrote in a note on Sunday. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026

As the independent film marketplace continues to experience headwinds, a new feature film finance and production outfit is popping up with the intention of guiding emerging filmmakers from development to distribution. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026

None of this bodes well for the Hong Kong film industry, which is also fighting commercial headwinds, including a wave of cinema closures and a tough financing environment. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headwind

• chagrined
• crosswind
• downwind
• rescind
• upwind
• whirlwind
• woodwind
• finned
• ginned
• grinned
• pinned
• sinned

Kids Definition

headwind

noun

head·​wind -ˌwind 

: a wind blowing in a direction opposite to a course of movement (as of a ship or aircraft)