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wind

noun (1), often attributive
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\ ˈwind How to pronounce wind (audio) , archaic or poetic ˈwīnd How to pronounce wind (audio) \

Definition of wind

 (Entry 1 of 6)

1a : a natural movement of air of any velocity especially : the earth's air or the gas surrounding a planet in natural motion horizontally
b : an artificially produced movement of air
c : solar wind, stellar wind
2a : a force or agency that carries along or influences : tendency, trend withstood the winds of popular opinion— Felix Frankfurter
b : a destructive force or influence
3a : breath sense 2a
b : breath sense 4a
c : the pit of the stomach : solar plexus
4 : gas generated in the stomach or the intestines pass wind
5 plural winds
a : musical wind instruments especially as distinguished from strings and percussion : the wind instruments of an orchestra
b : players of wind instruments
6a : slight information especially about something secret : intimation got wind of the plan
b : air carrying a scent (as of a hunter or game)
7 : something that is insubstantial: such as
a : mere talk : idle words
b : nothing, nothingness
c : vain self-satisfaction
8a : a direction from which the wind may blow : a point of the compass especially : one of the cardinal points
b : the direction from which the wind is blowing
9a : compressed air or gas
b archaic : air
before the wind
: in the same direction as the main force of the wind
close to the wind
: as nearly as possible against the main force of the wind
have the wind of
1 : to be to windward of
2 : to be on the scent of
3 : to have a superior position to
in the wind
: about to happen : astir, afoot change is in the wind
near the wind
1 : close to the wind
2 : close to a point of danger : near the permissible limit
off the wind
: away from the direction from which the wind is blowing
on the wind
: toward the direction from which the wind is blowing
to the wind or to the winds
: aside, away threw caution to the wind
under the wind
1 : to leeward
2 : in a place protected from the wind : under the lee

wind

verb (1)
\ ˈwind How to pronounce wind (audio) \
winded; winding; winds

Definition of wind (Entry 2 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to make short of breath
2 : to detect or follow by scent
3 : to expose to the air or wind : dry by exposing to air
4 : to regulate the wind supply of (an organ pipe)
5 : to rest (an animal, such as a horse) in order to allow the breath to be recovered

intransitive verb

1 : to scent game
2 dialect : to pause for breath

wind

verb (2)
\ ˈwīnd How to pronounce wind (audio) \
wound\ ˈwau̇nd How to pronounce wind (audio) \ also winded; winding

Definition of wind (Entry 3 of 6)

transitive verb

1a : to turn completely or repeatedly about an object : coil, twine
b : to encircle or cover with something pliable : bind with loops or layers
c : to raise to a high level (as of excitement or tension) —usually used with up
d(1) : to tighten the spring of wind a clock
(2) : crank
(3) obsolete : to make tighter : tighten, tune
e(1) : to hoist or haul by means of a rope or chain and a windlass
(2) : to move (a ship) by hauling on a capstan
2a : to traverse on a curving course the river winds the valley
b : to cause to move in a curving line or path
c : to effect by or as if by curving
d(1) : to cause (something, such as a ship) to change direction : turn
(2) : to turn (a ship) end for end
e archaic : to turn the course of especially : to lead (a person) as one wishes
3a : entangle, involve
b : to introduce sinuously or stealthily : insinuate
c obsolete : weave

intransitive verb

1a : to have a curving course or shape : extend in curves
b : to proceed as if by winding
2 : to move so as to encircle something
3 : to turn when lying at anchor
4 : bend, warp

wind

noun (2)
\ ˈwīnd How to pronounce wind (audio) \

Definition of wind (Entry 4 of 6)

1 : coil, turn
2 : a particular method of winding
3 : an act of winding : the state of being wound
4 : a mechanism (such as a winch) for winding

wind

verb (3)
\ ˈwīnd How to pronounce wind (audio) , ˈwind How to pronounce wind (audio) \
winded\ ˈwīn-​dəd How to pronounce wind (audio) , ˈwin-​ \ or wound\ ˈwau̇nd How to pronounce wind (audio) \; winding

Definition of wind (Entry 5 of 6)

transitive verb

1 : to cause (something, such as a horn) to sound by blowing : blow
2 : to sound (a call or note) on a horn wound a rousing call— R. L. Stevenson

intransitive verb

: to produce a sound on a horn

Wind

geographical name
\ ˈwind How to pronounce Wind (audio) \

Definition of Wind (Entry 6 of 6)

river in west central Wyoming

Note: The Wind River is the upper course of the Bighorn River.

Other Words from wind

Noun (1)

windless \ ˈwind-​ləs How to pronounce Wind (audio) \ adjective
windlessly adverb

First Known Use of wind

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb (3)

1586, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for wind

Noun (1) and Verb (3)

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wint wind, Latin ventus, Greek aēnai to blow, Sanskrit vāti it blows

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English windan to twist, move with speed or force, brandish; akin to Old High German wintan to wind, Umbrian ohavendu let him turn aside

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Time Traveler for wind

Time Traveler

The first known use of wind was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Wind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for wind

wind

noun
\ ˈwind How to pronounce wind (audio) \

Kids Definition of wind

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a natural movement of the air northerly winds
2 : power to breathe Falling down knocked the wind out of me.
3 : limited knowledge especially about something secret They got wind of our plans.
4 winds plural : wind instruments of a band or orchestra

wind

verb
winded; winding

Kids Definition of wind (Entry 2 of 3)

: to cause to be out of breath Climbing the long flight of stairs winded him.

wind

verb
\ ˈwīnd How to pronounce wind (audio) \
wound\ ˈwau̇nd \; winding

Kids Definition of wind (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : to move in or be made up of a series of twists and turns The trail winds through the trees.
2 : to twist around The machine winds thread on a spool.
3 : to cover with something twisted around : wrap Wind your arm with a bandage.
4 : to make the spring of tight I wound my watch.
wind up
1 : to bring to an end : conclude Let's wind up the meeting.
2 : to reach a place or situation that was not expected How did we wind up back here?
3 : to swing the arm before pitching a baseball

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More from Merriam-Webster on wind

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wind

Nglish: Translation of wind for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of wind for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wind

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