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

The show is designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2026

Fast forward to Wednesday night, with time winding down in the Avalanche's Game 5 tilt with the Minnesota Wild, and Colorado needing a goal to tie it. —Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026

As things heat up in the greater Orlando area, the winter event season winds down while new festivities help the community have fun in the sun. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026

Scaling back training late in the summer as the fiscal year winds down is relatively routine inside the Pentagon. —Steve Beynon, ABC News, 13 May 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