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
As more hospitals face financial headwinds and increase their prices, that could benefit Welltower’s senior housing portfolio.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Even with those headwinds, if green lit by city officials, construction on The Star is expected to begin in early 2026 and wrap by 2029.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024
Yet even with so much public concern over street homelessness and public disorder, the efforts have all faced headwinds, most prominently Proposition 1.
—Tim Arango, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Still, Brown will face stiff headwinds running in a state that has veered to the right in recent years and handed Trump roughly eight-point wins in 2016 and 2020.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024
More repairs — both essential and costly — to keep the 90-year-old ship operational are still expected, but city officials are optimistic the financial headwinds the ship has battled are easing.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Aira is not immune to other headwinds facing the heat pump industry.
—Olivia Rudgard, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024
China’s economy is battling a number of headwinds, including weak consumer and investor confidence, high youth unemployment and a long-running real estate crisis.
—Laura He, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024
The industry’s goal to reach carbon neutrality in the next 26 years faces strong headwinds in cost alone.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2024
Will Daniel, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Even with those headwinds, if green lit by city officials, construction on The Star is expected to begin in early 2026 and wrap by 2029.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024
Yet even with so much public concern over street homelessness and public disorder, the efforts have all faced headwinds, most prominently Proposition 1.
—Tim Arango, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Still, Brown will face stiff headwinds running in a state that has veered to the right in recent years and handed Trump roughly eight-point wins in 2016 and 2020.
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024
More repairs — both essential and costly — to keep the 90-year-old ship operational are still expected, but city officials are optimistic the financial headwinds the ship has battled are easing.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Aira is not immune to other headwinds facing the heat pump industry.
—Olivia Rudgard, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024
China’s economy is battling a number of headwinds, including weak consumer and investor confidence, high youth unemployment and a long-running real estate crisis.
—Laura He, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024
The industry’s goal to reach carbon neutrality in the next 26 years faces strong headwinds in cost alone.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headwind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwind. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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)
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