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

With summer movie season winding down, studios and streamers were eager to remind fans what’s coming to their televisions this fall. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 28 July 2026

The district, established in 1992, well after the Voting Rights Act, to help ensure Black voting power, is in the process of a major transition of leadership as Congresswoman Frederica Wilson winds down her final term. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Tidying up the Bathroom No one wants to wind down for the evening applying skincare in a cluttered bathroom, so spending time to put your products away after using them in the morning is essential, Naor explains. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 25 July 2026

Donna Dillon and her husband were winding down and getting ready to watch Netflix after spending an ideal summer evening in their home’s pool with their four children. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 25 July 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