headwind

noun

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head·wind | \ ˈhed-ˌwind

plural headwinds

Definition of headwind

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 Despite the stronger-than-expected results, Coke stuck to its full-year earnings guidance, which includes expectations that commodity-cost increases will be a mid-single-digit percentage headwind to the cost of goods sold. — Will Feuer, WSJ, 25 Apr. 2022 The temperature was perfect for racing, 50 degrees at the start, though there was a headwind. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 18 Apr. 2022 While officials last month cited the Omicron variant of the coronavirus as a risk, the minutes suggest officials didn’t see it as a serious headwind for the economy. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2022 Still, hedged or not, rising jet fuel costs will undoubtedly be a headwind for airlines moving forward. — Will Daniel, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2022 High energy prices are a major headwind for airlines and other types of transportation companies, however. — NBC News, 28 Feb. 2022 And as long as worker scarcity persists, inflation is likely to remain a major economic headwind. — NBC News, 9 Feb. 2022 The disclosure could prove to be a headwind for Pulliam, 40, whose campaign has contrasted the small-town virtues of rural Clackamas County with the supposed squalor of Portland. — oregonlive, 5 Feb. 2022 But if a headwind gives way to a tailwind, say, or if a cloudy day turns clear and the crystals of the snow shift, then advantages can, too. — Howard Fendrich And Pat Graham, chicagotribune.com, 31 Jan. 2022 See More

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.