wind down

verb

wound down also winded down; winding down; winds down

intransitive verb

1

: to draw gradually toward an end

the party was winding down

2

: relax, unwind

wind down with a good book

transitive verb

: to cause a gradual lessening of usually with the intention of bringing to an end

Synonyms of wind down

• relax
• chill out

Examples of wind down in a Sentence

not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night

Recent Examples on the Web

And the evening winds down with a festival-wide square dance led by KC Heil’s All-Star Dance Band. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

As the prep day before the guests’ arrival winds down, Ben tells João about Ellie’s reaction to the wine mix-up in their cabin. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

Amid busy schedules, late-night scrolling and kids who suddenly get a burst of energy right at bedtime, winding down can feel like a nightly challenge. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

As winter winds down, here are six items that professional organizers located throughout the South suggest parting ways with over the course of the coming weeks. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for wind down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown