unwind

verb un·wind \ ˌən-ˈwīnd \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of unwind

unwound play \ˌən-ˈwau̇nd\; unwinding

transitive verb

1 a : to cause to uncoil : wind off : unroll

b : to free from or as if from a binding or wrapping

c : to release from tension : relax

2 archaic : to trace to the end

unwinding the labryinth and bringing the hero out
—Laurence Sterne

3 : to undo (a financial arrangement or position) through the necessary legal or financial steps

unwound most of its natural gas hedges
—The New York Times

intransitive verb

1 : to become uncoiled or disentangled : unfold

2 : to become released from tension

take a bath to unwind

See unwind defined for English-language learners

See unwind defined for kids

Examples of unwind in a Sentence

She unwound some thread from the spool.
The fishing line unwound quickly.
I wanted to unwind after a hard day.

Recent Examples of unwind from the Web

The release comes just a few weeks before the Department of Homeland Security is expected to propose a rule that would unwind the program, known as the Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses, or H-4 EAD.

— trisha thadani, San Francisco Chronicle, "Data offers new glimpse into work permit program for H-1B spouses," 11 May 2018
Investors have been waiting more than a year and a half to get any of their money back in a complex case being unwound in federal bankruptcy court.

— rick rothacker, charlotteobserver, "Siskey Ponzi victims have waited months to get their money. Help may be on the way. | Charlotte Observer," 10 May 2018
In 2014 Continental suffered a severe blow when Mr Hamm rashly unwound its oil hedges in the mistaken belief that falling oil prices would swiftly bottom out.

— The Economist, "American shale-oil producers are on a roll," 10 May 2018
Many in the media were quick to link that story to stories about my husband--until that story unwound.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "Camille Cosby Defends Husband, Says Bill Cosby Was The Victim Of 'Lynch Mobs'," 3 May 2018
But by the same token, Clinton wanted spending reductions to unwind the deficit.

— chad pergram, Fox News, "Trump, GOP plan to rescind budget spending has precedent but rocky path in Congress," 7 Apr. 2018
In fact, turnover has only been higher two other times since the financial crisis: in 2016 during a correction and in February when a surging Cboe Volatility Index forced short funds to unwind.

— dani burger, Bloomberg.com, "Exotic ETF Trading Is Surging Once Again," 29 Mar. 2018
Some who were flummoxed by a confusing theme in Puzzle 4 joined the survivors of Puzzle 5 in the Marriott bar to unwind over cocktails.

— deb amlen, New York Times, "Puzzle Lovers Find Their Tribe at a Crossword Tournament," 26 Mar. 2018
To unwind, the Girl Meets World star had a candlelit bath and jammed out to vinyls like The Beatles' Love Songs.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "24 Hours with Sabrina Carpenter," 1 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unwind.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unwind

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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unwind Synonyms

Phrases

hang loose;

UNWIND Defined for English Language Learners

unwind

verb

Definition of unwind for English Language Learners

: to move the end of something (such as a piece of string) that is wound in a roll, coil, etc., so that it becomes straight
: to relax and stop thinking about work, problems, etc.