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

Later, lunch and afternoon tea often fill the tables with locals or guests seeking live music and a great way to wind down the workday. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

As our interview winds down, Rocky is still talking enthusiastically about the future. —Jeff Ihaza, VIBE.com, 2 June 2026

Outgoing contractor Triangle Services, whose security division is known as Viking Security, has been winding down its operations in Minnesota, and Ramsey County was its last account in that field. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 2 June 2026

Morning sunlight upon arrival anchors their new time zone faster, and avoiding bright screens in the evening signals their brain to wind down, which can be assisted with a pair of blue light-blocking glasses. —Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 1 June 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