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

Burroughs explained at least four presses will fire up as the game winds down, operating from sunset to sunrise. —Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

As her 120-day term wound down, Halligan faced mounting resistance from the federal bench. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 21 Jan. 2026

The departments, which will wind down this semester, provided university-wide services for teaching and research — key parts of UT’s mission. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026

Holiday Decor Juliana Meidl, a professional organizer and the founder and owner of Serenity At Home recommends donating holiday decorations, especially at the beginning of a new year once holiday celebrations wind down. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 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