SINCE 1828
\ ˈwind
, archaic or poetic ˈwīnd
\
, archaic or poetic ˈwīnd
\
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 destructive force or influence
4
: gas generated in the stomach or the intestines
pass wind
5a
: compressed air or gas
6
: something that is insubstantial: such as
a
: mere talk : idle words
b
: nothing, nothingness
c
: vain self-satisfaction
7a
: air carrying a scent (as of a hunter or game)
b
: slight information especially about something secret : intimation
got wind of the plan
8 plural winds
a
: musical wind instruments especially as distinguished from strings and percussion : the wind instruments of an orchestra
b
: players of wind instruments
9a
: 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
before the wind
close to the wind
have the wind of
in the wind
near the wind
off the wind
on the wind
to the wind
or to the winds
under the wind
: in the same direction as the main force of the wind
: as nearly as possible against the main force of the wind
1
: close to the wind
2
: close to a point of danger : near the permissible limit
: away from the direction from which the wind is blowing
: toward the direction from which the wind is blowing
1
: to leeward
2
: in a place protected from the wind : under the lee
wind
verb (1)
\ ˈwind
\
\
winded;
winding;
winds
Definition of wind (Entry 2 of 6)
1
: to detect or follow by scent
2
: to expose to the air or wind : dry by exposing to air
3
: to make short of breath
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
wind
verb (2)
\ ˈwīnd
, ˈwind
\
, ˈwind
\
winded\ ˈwīn-dəd
, ˈwin- \
or wound\ ˈwau̇nd
\;
winding
, ˈwin- \
or wound\ ˈwau̇nd
\;
winding
Definition of wind (Entry 3 of 6)
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
: to produce a sound on a horn
wind
verb (3)
\ ˈwīnd
\
\
wound\ ˈwau̇nd
\
also winded;
winding
\
also winded;
winding
Definition of wind (Entry 4 of 6)
2a
: to encircle or cover with something pliable : bind with loops or layers
c(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
e
: to raise to a high level (as of excitement or tension)
—usually used with up
3a
: to cause to move in a curving line or path
b
archaic
: to turn the course of
especially
: to lead (a person) as one wishes
c(1)
: to cause (something, such as a ship) to change direction : turn
(2)
: to turn (a ship) end for end
d
: to traverse on a curving course
the river winds the valley
e
: to effect by or as if by curving
2a
: to have a curving course or shape : extend in curves
b
: to proceed as if by winding
3
: to move so as to encircle something
4
: to turn when lying at anchor
wind
noun (2)
\ ˈwīnd
\
\
Definition of wind (Entry 5 of 6)
Wind
geographical name
\ ˈwind
\
\
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
\
adjective
\
adjective
windlessly
adverb
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Learn More about wind
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
7 Words in the Wind
7 Words in the Wind
If you listen you can hear them rustling
Statistics for wind
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for wind
The first known use of wind was before the 12th century
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More Definitions for wind
wind
noun
\ ˈwind
\
\
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
\
\
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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