windmill

noun wind·mill \ ˈwin(d)-ˌmil \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of windmill

1 a : a mill or machine operated by the wind usually acting on oblique vanes or sails that radiate from a horizontal shaft; especially : a wind-driven water pump or electric generator

b : the wind-driven wheel of a windmill

2 : something that resembles or suggests a windmill; especially : a calisthenic exercise that involves alternately lowering each outstretched hand to touch the toes of the opposite foot

[from the episode in Don Quixote by Cervantes in which the hero attacks windmills under the illusion that they are giants]

: an imaginary wrong, evil, or opponent —usually used in the phrase to tilt at windmills

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Recent Examples of windmill from the Web

Just as the drive to Streamsong has its charm, so, too, does the walk up the hill toward the ninth green, with a windmill behind the green as the guiding light.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Streamsong is unlike any golf resort you'd expect in Florida," 12 Apr. 2018
Less than half a mile from downtown Holland, Windmill Island, home to the De Zwaan windmill, is another must-see attraction.

— jay jones, chicagotribune.com, "Two Midwest ‘Tulip Time’ festivals nod to towns’ Dutch heritage," 5 Apr. 2018
With the collection at The Windmill Farm still expanding, Chuck continues to not only collect, but repair and supply parts for others windmills, while Ruby runs a on-site bed and breakfast.

— paul moseley, star-telegram, "At this family farm they plant full-grown windmills, for your viewing pleasure | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 30 Mar. 2018
The story went on to explain that an aircraft smacked into a windmill just a few hundred feet north of what is now Texas 114 and crashed into a field.

— gordon dickson, star-telegram, "Reward offered for return of stolen UFO alien grave marker in Texas | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 30 Mar. 2018
One type of wind turbine, the windmill, has been used all over the world for thousands of years to convert wind energy into mechanical energy for tasks such as grinding grain and moving water.

— megan arnett, Scientific American, "Just Keep Spinning--Find the Best Pinwheel Design!," 29 Mar. 2018
The Rays always tilt against windmills, playing in the rugged AL East. 5.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "5 teams to watch in the National League and American League in 2018," 24 Mar. 2018
Williams capped the Providence win Friday with a windmill slam that had been mimicked on the sideline perfectly by Aggies teammate Savion Flagg.

— jonathan jones, SI.com, "No Confetti for North Carolina This Year as Texas A&M Sends Tar Heels Home," 18 Mar. 2018
Whether waving a giant poster of his face in the bleachers or cheering loudly after a windmill dunk, Santa Monica Crossroads fans can't get enough of 6-foot-10 senior Shareef O'Neal, otherwise known as Baby Shaq.

— eric sondheimer, latimes.com, "Shareef O'Neal develops his own game with help of his famous father," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'windmill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.