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

These legislative headwinds come as the sector is already under pressure from higher interest rates, which have made consumer financing more expensive. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 20 June 2025

But Thailand’s increasingly likely change in leadership—and the uncertainty that inevitably will follow—comes at a trying time of both economic headwinds and geopolitical challenges, threatening to throw the country into further instability. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 19 June 2025

The broader political headwinds seemed likely to help, as Maine is a Democratic-leaning state on the federal level and voted for former President Biden by 9 points. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 June 2025

After all, the firm is contending with a massive headwind of costs that include around £430 million of wage hikes via national insurance contributions and higher living wages, food inflation, and elevated price competition from its peers. —John Choong, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

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)