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

However, a wall of wind shear is expected to slightly destabilize the storm just before landfall — slowing its wind speeds to 100 mph and broadening the system, spreading the high winds and heavy rains even further from the core of the storm. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

But when that wind shear happens to weaken, any burgeoning storm can quickly grow wherever there’s abundant warm ocean water. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

In early October, vertical wind shear in the western Gulf weakened and a small region of enhanced moisture moved over the western Gulf. — Christopher Davis, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

This generates wind shear preventing storms from strengthening in the Atlantic. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wind shear

• adhere
• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir

Kids Definition

wind shear

noun

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