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

Then, around midnight Wednesday, a strong arctic cold front from Canada will push through, bringing a quick drop in temps, even colder windchills, windy conditions and a chance of light snow through Wednesday morning. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2024

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, while enduring the cold of minus 13 at kickoff with a windchill of minus 36 at Lambeau Field. —David K. Li, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024

There’s even elastic at the cuffs, hem, and hood to contour to a child’s body to keep out unwanted windchill. —Casey Clark, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024

This could produce windchills in the mid-to-low single digits in the morning. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2024

Dubbed a Super Mess with sub-zero windchills, vendors sold ski caps instead of cowboy hats. —Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Jan. 2024

Residents shivered in Kansas City, Missouri, where windchill temperatures near zero followed highs in the low 70s on Tuesday. —Kathryn Prociv, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024

Most of the state is under a windchill warning, continuing into Tuesday. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024

Temperatures are expected to drop over the weekend, with subzero windchill expected. —David Baratz, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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