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

Whether that shift can break through remains an open question, particularly as economic headwinds tied to the war continue to ripple at home. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2026

Tesla sales have been facing headwinds in Europe — including in the Netherlands — in the last couple of years. —CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026

Those will be difficult headwinds for Whatley to combat, Bitzer and Roberts both said, especially since members of the sitting president’s party already tend to be at a disadvantage in competitive midterm elections. —Mary Ramsey april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026

Delta executives noted severe weather, the conflict in the Middle East, and pilot contract complications as headwinds this quarter. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Apr. 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)