wind down

verb

wound down also winded down; winding down; winds down

intransitive verb

1

: to draw gradually toward an end

the party was winding down

2

: relax, unwind

wind down with a good book

transitive verb

: to cause a gradual lessening of usually with the intention of bringing to an end

Synonyms of wind down

• relax
• chill out

Examples of wind down in a Sentence

not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night

Recent Examples on the Web

Allen has emphasized that winding down her brother’s $20 billion-plus estate could take years, maybe decades. —Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

With the latest allergy count showing cedar holding steady at medium, what allergy sufferers really want to know is whether cedar (aka ashe juniper) season is starting to wind down. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026

According to its January 28 earnings call, the company plans to wind down production of the Model S Sedan and Model X SUV to accommodate the manufacturing of the Optimus robot at its Fremont factory. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026

These practical self-care gifts are perfect for winding down after a long day. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for wind down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown