1
: material (such as wire) wound or coiled about an object (such as an armature)
also
: a single turn of the wound material
2
a
: the act of one that winds
b
: the manner of winding something
3
: a curved or sinuous course, line, or progress
: marked by winding: such as
a
: having a curved or spiral course or form
a winding stairway
b
: having a course that winds
a winding road
Examples of winding in a Sentence
Adjective
a long and winding path through the woods
a winding staircase leads to the top of the lighthouse
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 16 June 2026
During parades, the ribbons are flung out of windows along the route, creating a winding, dramatic effect.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 5 June 2026
Said Rahmani often compared his life story to the plot of Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, in which a young shepherd sets off on a long and winding journey to find his treasure, only to learn that it was buried near his home all along.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for winding
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Noun
The family lives in a residential part of Rovinj, away from the main tourist zone in the old town, which is famous for its winding, Mediterranean-style stone streets dominated by a church.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
During parades, the ribbons are flung out of windows along the route, creating a winding, dramatic effect.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Adjective
From $561 per night. Perks: Saltwater pool and spa, king beds in all rooms, piano, fire pit
At the top of a long and winding drive awaits Le Petite Retreat.
—Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 5 June 2026
Said Rahmani often compared his life story to the plot of Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, in which a young shepherd sets off on a long and winding journey to find his treasure, only to learn that it was buried near his home all along.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for winding
Cite this Entry
“Winding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/winding. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
winding
1 of 2 noun
wind·ing
ˈwīn-diŋ 
1
: material (as wire) wound or coiled about an object
2
: a single turn of wound material
winding
2 of 2 adjective
: marked by winding: as
a
: having a noticeable curved or spiral form
a winding staircase
b
: having a course that winds
a winding road
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