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

Vague assurances In announcing the ban, Mayor Mamdani said any effort to wind down the industry should include steps to find jobs and economic security for those who the ban would put out of work. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Her departure follows the announcement earlier this week that Christiane Amanpour would be winding down her daily CNN International series and departing the network next year. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Microsoft is now planning to wind down its Garage locations, and some spaces will be closed as soon as tomorrow, Friday, October 23rd. — Tom Warren, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026

The Warriors are hoping to give Steph Curry one more meaningful season before his career winds down. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 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