windchill
noun
wind·chill
ˈwin(d)-ˌchil 
: 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
Examples of windchill in a Sentence
It's cold outside, and it feels even colder because of the windchill.
Expect windchills in the 20s tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
For this super laidback, windchill-ready look, Hadid wore a beanie hat over her plaits, ski goggle-like black sunglasses, and black leather gloves.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
During this timeframe, wind gusts could get as highs as 50 mph at times, leading to biting windchills in the teens and single-digit temperatures.
—Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
That's temperature, not windchill.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Shelter will activate when temperature is 25 degrees or below; 15-degree windchill or below; or precipitation with a windchill of 25 degrees.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for windchill
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Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
During this timeframe, wind gusts could get as highs as 50 mph at times, leading to biting windchills in the teens and single-digit temperatures.
—Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
That's temperature, not windchill.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025
Shelter will activate when temperature is 25 degrees or below; 15-degree windchill or below; or precipitation with a windchill of 25 degrees.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for windchill
Cite this Entry
“Windchill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windchill. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
windchill
noun
wind·chill
-ˌchil
: 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
: 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
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