wind shear

noun

: a radical shift in wind speed and direction that occurs over a very short distance

Examples of wind shear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wednesday might be the final day for Tropical Storm Lorenzo, which has continued to weaken in the face of aggressive wind shear in the open Atlantic. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 Supercells aren't common in central Arizona, where strong wind shear rarely develops, especially during the summer monsoon. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025 When a La Niña phase occurs, less wind shear occurs in the regions of the Atlantic basin where tropical weather develops, increasing the potential for more storms, AccuWeather said. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 Some nearby dry air and wind shear ahead of the tropical wave -- ingredients which hinder tropical development -- will keep it from developing into a tropical system over the weekend into next week. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wind shear

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wind shear was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wind shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20shear. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

wind shear

noun
: a radical shift in wind speed and direction that occurs over a very short distance

More from Merriam-Webster on wind shear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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