windup

1 of 3

noun

wind·​up ˈwīnd-ˌəp 

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)

windup

2 of 3

adjective

: operated by a spring mechanism wound by hand

wind up

3 of 3

verb

wound up also winded up; winding up; winds 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

Synonyms

Noun

• ending
• conclusion
• end
• finale
• closing
• culmination

Verb

• end
• finish
• conclude

Examples of windup in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Adjective

She has an old windup record player in her attic.

Verb

try to wind up the performance, as we're almost out of time

her speeches usually wind up with one last joke

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the final windup to the end, electric energy gave way to ringing, Mussorgskyan grandeur. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025

The umpires called back-to-back balks on Gillaspie for stopping during his windup. —Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

Adjective

All skill levels can compete in the contest, which will feature a Beginner’s Luck division where competitors can perform beginner yo-yo tricks like the windup, dribble and forward pass to earn raffle tickets for prizes. —Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025

So many mainstream film characters, especially ones assigned to women, act like windup dolls that sputter into disuse when their scenes end. —Julia Whelan Emma Kehlbeck Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025

Verb

Canada | Mo Matton | Midwest Premiere | Rhys, a dedicated people pleaser, winds up at their boss’ gender reveal party with their two partners. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025

The actor doesn’t believe his character wound up alone, however. —Nicole Briese, People.com, 25 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1784, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for windup

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

windup

1 of 3 noun

wind·​up ˈwīn-ˌdəp 

1

a

: the act of bringing to an end

b

: a last act or part : finish

2

: a series of motions (as swinging the arms over the head) made by a pitcher prior to releasing a pitch

windup

2 of 3 adjective

: having a spring wound by hand

windup toys

wind up

3 of 3 verb

(ˈ)wīn-ˈdəp

1

: to bring or come to a conclusion : end

let's wind up the meeting quickly

2

: to arrive in a place, situation, or state

wound up losing the game

wound up as millionaires

3

: to make a windup in pitching a baseball

Legal Definition

wind up

transitive verb

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