headwind

noun head·wind \ ˈhed-ˌwind \

|Updated on: 22 Jul 2018

Definition of headwind

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

See headwind defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of headwind from the Web

On the other hand, future demand has been pulled to the present, so Tesla may face a headwind in 2019.

— Fortune, "Tesla Buyers Hear Clock Ticking as $7,500 Credit Phases Out," 12 July 2018
Whiston sees headwinds from rising commodities costs, exchange rates, investments in mobility and electrification, as well as a slowing U.S. market and a fiercely competitive Chinese market that will hurt results for auto makers.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Will Ford's Detroit train station purchase spark its stock price?," 15 June 2018
Facing a primary vote Tuesday, Sanford is receiving headwind from Republican voters who see him as a traitor to the president.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Mark Sanford learns the price of criticizing Trump.," 12 June 2018
Hugin, a former Marine and Princeton University graduate, could face headwinds in Democrat-leaning New Jersey, where Trump is unpopular.

— Washington Post, "Trump, corruption, greed: NJ Senate race coming into view," 6 June 2018
And while the second quarter may also get a lift, the company expects comparable-sales headwinds in the second half of the year.

— lindsey rupp, chicagotribune.com, "Kohl's sees headwinds in second half, leading investors to sell," 22 May 2018
Meanwhile, Kushner's efforts to hammer out a bipartisan criminal justice package are facing headwinds in Congress, with conservatives pushing a plan that addresses prisons but leaves controversial sentencing standards in place.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "You had one job, Jared Kushner. Actually, you had many.," 14 May 2018
United Airlines President Scott Kirby projected Tuesday a $1.6 billion headwind this year from higher fuel costs.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "Airfares may rise in 2018 as airlines face higher fuel costs," 26 Jan. 2018
In April, Romney faced headwinds at the state GOP convention and was edged out by a more conservative candidate, Representative Mike Kennedy.

— annie linskey, BostonGlobe.com, "Mitt Romney wins GOP primary for Senate in Utah," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'headwind.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.