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
Thomas BlackFor generations, the tribe has been leaning into cultural headwinds to preserve a language on the brink of extinction.—Kevin Simpson
Kevin SimpsonThe plan faces political headwinds from both sides of the aisle …—Heidi M. Przybyla
Heidi M. PrzybylaExamples of headwind in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The terminal rate is the point at which interest rates do not act as headwinds for economic growth, and are consistent with allowing the central bank to achieve its inflation target.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Taking Share and Increasing Retail Pound Volume Despite a challenging environment with retailer inventory headwinds and a slowdown in snacking, the company is still taking market share and increasing its retail pound volume (total volume of product sold in pounds) in key markets.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
But the celebration may be premature, industry insiders, foreign diplomats and market experts said, telling The Times that Silicon Valley will face strong headwinds in the months ahead — the makings of a perfect storm of uncertainty that could still tip the U.S. economy into recession.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
After Democrats flipped control of the Senate, the idea ran into headwinds years later, as Biden aides and lawmakers tried to incorporate the measure into the Inflation Reduction Act.
—Alexander Tin
may 14, CBS News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for headwind
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.
Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Taking Share and Increasing Retail Pound Volume Despite a challenging environment with retailer inventory headwinds and a slowdown in snacking, the company is still taking market share and increasing its retail pound volume (total volume of product sold in pounds) in key markets.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
But the celebration may be premature, industry insiders, foreign diplomats and market experts said, telling The Times that Silicon Valley will face strong headwinds in the months ahead — the makings of a perfect storm of uncertainty that could still tip the U.S. economy into recession.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
After Democrats flipped control of the Senate, the idea ran into headwinds years later, as Biden aides and lawmakers tried to incorporate the measure into the Inflation Reduction Act.
—Alexander Tin
may 14, CBS News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for headwind
Cite this Entry
“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwind. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
headwind
noun
head·wind
-ˌwind
: a wind blowing in a direction opposite to a course of movement (as of a ship or aircraft)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share