tailwind

noun

tail·​wind ˈtāl-ˌwind 

plural tailwinds

1

: a wind having the same general direction as a course of movement (as of an aircraft)

2

: a force or influence that advances progress toward an improved condition

… the strengthening housing market should be providing tailwinds for home improvement retailers.

—Katherine Peralta

Medicare reform is a thorny problem even when the political tailwinds are favorable.

—Russ Wiles

Examples of tailwind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the perception of sustained geopolitical risk can extend spending tailwinds, as nations reevaluate long-term defense strategies, upgrade outdated systems, and invest in next-gen technologies like cybersecurity, drones, and missile defense. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 16 June 2025

The steepening that has already occurred represents just the beginning of a multi-year tailwind for European banks, industrials, and the broader equity market. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Danny Kirsch, Piper Sandler’s head of options, suggested that being on the President’s good side had served Musk and his businesses, while being on the President’s bad side could turn tailwinds into headwinds, more or less instantly. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 6 June 2025

Plus, their NAVs have a tailwind—tech profits popping! —Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tailwind

• chagrined
• crosswind
• downwind
• rescind
• upwind
• whirlwind
• woodwind
• finned
• ginned
• grinned
• pinned
• sinned

Kids Definition

tail wind

noun

: a wind having the same general direction as the course of a moving object (as an aircraft)