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

On top of that headwind, shoppers are getting picky and more demanding of a seamless returns process. —Peter Sadera, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, White speculates that the Hong Kong funds also got pummeled by headwinds in the Yen-carry trade—which made their financing more expensive—and exposure to recent convulsions in the silver market. —Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026

Sony’s hardware business is expected to face headwinds this year from rising component costs. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026

Higher cruise speeds allow the aircraft to counter headwinds more effectively. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 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)