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.
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 Forecasters say the lull in storm activity was caused by wind shear as well as dry and dusty air. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025 As of Thursday morning, the hurricane center said Gabrielle had 50 mph winds and was getting beaten up by dry air and storm-shredding wind shear. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025 Storm-killing winds in different levels of the atmosphere known as wind shear have also been stronger than usual for this time of year in western and central parts of the Atlantic. Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 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 15 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

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