windup

play

noun wind·up \ ˈwīnd-ˌəp \

Definition of windup

1 a :the act of bringing to an end

b :a concluding act or part :finish

2 a :a series of regular and distinctive motions (such as swinging the arms) made by a pitcher preparatory to releasing a pitch

b :an exaggerated backswing (as in tennis)

See windup defined for English-language learners

See windup defined for kids

Examples of windup in a Sentence

the windup of the negotiations
He went into the windup, then threw the pitch.
a pitcher with an unusual windup
Her brother's act was just a wind-up to get her angry.

Recent Examples of windup from the Web

After altering his delivery in June, shifting into a hybrid motion that does not include a full windup, Hill has found a rhythm in 2016.

— andy mccullough, latimes.com, "Despite power display, Yasiel Puig to stay in No. 8 spot for Dodgers," 15 July 2017
Your windup, if something goes off with that, just like the snap, the hold, the kick, the timing of it is very rhythmic, so singing the song in my head kind of helps me relax and feel smooth.

— kalyn kahler, The MMQB, "How his time on the mound helped steel the Patriots kicker for the loneliest job in football," 12 July 2017
Throughout the house, framed portraits of the couple's ancestors are seen next to shelves bearing small, curated collections, such as Schuco tin windup toys from the 1940s.

— susan green, OregonLive.com, "Portland-area pets for adoption July 11 (photos)," 11 July 2017
Metro’s windup for an imminent fare hike was nothing short of diabolical.

— fredrick kunkle, Washington Post, "Metro’s prelude to fare hikes was fittingly horrible," 24 June 2017
Pitchers are generally less comfortable with men on base, pitching from the stretch instead of the more favorable windup.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles have been great with runners in scoring position — there just haven't been enough runners," 21 June 2017
A windy windupNightfall in the desert often means the end of whatever breeze has been blowing that day.

— charles fleming, star-telegram.com, "Couple explore desert trails, Old West locales in a silver bullet," 19 June 2017
A windy windup Nightfall in the desert often means the end of whatever breeze has been blowing that day.

— charles fleming, star-telegram, "Couple explore desert trails, Old West locales in a silver bullet," 19 June 2017
Jeff Patterson The Kansas City Star Working from the windup for the first time all season, making his first start since last July at Class AA Northwest Arkansas, Strahm took the ball and delivered a lift for an ailing rotation.

— rustin dodd, kansascity.com, "From unrecruited to major-league starter, Matt Strahm helps Royals to fifth straight win," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'windup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of windup

1665

windup Synonyms

Synonyms

capper, close, closing, conclusion, consummation, end, endgame, ending, finis, finish, grand finale, home stretch, mop-up, finale, wrap-up

Antonyms

baseline, beginning, dawn, day one, nascence, nascency, opening, start

Related Words

acme, apex, capstone, climax, copestone, coup de grâce (or coup de grace), crescendo, crown, culmination, high-water mark, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, tip-top, top, zenith; aftermath, anticlimax, coda, epilogue (also epilog), postscript; shank, tag end, tail end

Near Antonyms

foreword, introduction, overture, preamble, preface, prelude, prologue (also prolog)

windup

adjective

Definition of windup

:operated by a spring mechanism wound by hand

See windup defined for English-language learners

Examples of windup in a Sentence

She has an old windup record player in her attic.

First Known Use of windup

1784

wind up

verb

Definition of wind up

transitive verb

1 :to bring to a conclusion :end

2 a :to put in order for the purpose of bringing to an end

winds up the meeting

b British :to effectuate the winding up of

intransitive verb

1 a :to come to a conclusion

b :to arrive in a place, situation, or condition at the end or as a result of a course of action

wound up as millionaires

2 :to make a pitching windup

See wind up defined for kids

Examples of wind up in a Sentence

try to wind up the performance, as we're almost out of time
her speeches usually wind up with one last joke

First Known Use of wind up

1583

wind up Synonyms

Synonyms

close out, complete, conclude, end, finish, round (off or out), terminate, close, wrap up

Antonyms

begin, commence, inaugurate, open, start

Related Words

climax, crown; consummate, perfect; halt, stop, suspend

Near Antonyms

draw out, extend, prolong, protract

WINDUP Defined for English Language Learners

windup

play

noun

Definition of windup for English Language Learners

: the things that are done at the end of something (such as an event or process) : the final part of something
baseball : the movements that a pitcher makes before the ball is thrown
wind-up : something done or said in usually a joking way to make someone annoyed or upset

windup

adjective

Definition of windup for English Language Learners

: having a motor that is given power when someone turns a handle

WINDUP Defined for Kids

windup

play

noun wind·up \ ˈwīnd-ˌəp \

Definition of windup for Students

1 :the last part of something :finish

2 :a swing of a baseball pitcher's arm before the pitch is thrown

Law Dictionary

wind up

transitive verb

legal Definition of wind up

wound up; winding up

:to bring to an end by taking care of unfinished business

ordered to wind up his practice

; specifically :to conclude by removing liabilities and distributing any remaining assets to partners or shareholders

wind up the business and affairs of a corporation in dissolution

wind up a receivership

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windup

Definition of windup

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wind up

Definition of wind up

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WINDUP Defined for English Language Learners

windup

Definition of windup for English Language Learners

windup

Definition of windup for English Language Learners

WINDUP Defined for Kids

windup

Definition of windup for Students

Law Dictionary

wind up

legal Definition of wind up

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