windchill

noun

wind·​chill ˈwin(d)-ˌchil How to pronounce windchill (audio)
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as a given combination of temperature and wind speed

called also chill factor, windchill factor, windchill index

Example Sentences

It's cold outside, and it feels even colder because of the windchill. Expect windchills in the 20s tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web Temperatures in Portland, Maine, reached minus 45 degrees Friday night, with the city hitting a record-breaking windchill of minus 41 degrees. Teddy Grant, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2023 Climate scientist Brian Brettschneider says that's probably the lowest windchill ever recorded in the United States. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2023 Current temperatures at Midway Airport registered at 29 degrees with a negative 2 windchill. Deanese Williams-harris, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2023 Mount Washington, in New Hampshire — the highest peak in northeastern US — also became colder than an average week on Mars, according to The Washington Post, with a windchill of 108 degrees below zero. Lauren Booker, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 After a windchill advisory expired Friday morning, National Weather Service officials released a Hazardous Weather Outlook for portions of north central and northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. Deanese Williams-harris, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2023 Plus, fans also contribute to a home's energy savings by producing a windchill effect that can help people feel cooler than the actual temperature. Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2023 The Great Lakes region will likely bear the brunt of the storm, but meteorologists are also keeping a close eye on Texas, where the forecast predicts an icy windchill. Time, 21 Dec. 2022 Most puffer vests perfectly layer over a turtleneck or under a coat to shield you from windchill. Ty Gaskins, Men's Health, 20 Dec. 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of windchill was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near windchill

Cite this Entry

“Windchill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windchill. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

windchill

noun
wind·​chill -ˌchil How to pronounce windchill (audio)
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human flesh as a given combination of temperature and wind speed

called also windchill factor, windchill index

Medical Definition

windchill

noun
wind·​chill ˈwin(d)-ˌchil How to pronounce windchill (audio)
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as a given combination of temperature and wind speed

called also chill factor, windchill factor, windchill index

More from Merriam-Webster on windchill

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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