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

The Boilermakers federal racketeering conspiracy trial in Kansas City, Kansas, is winding down, with closing arguments scheduled for Monday as the case enters its fifth week. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026

But the era of excitement around AI is winding down. —Ameya Kanitkar, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

The Paley Center for Media has unveiled plans for an annual keynote address at its International Council Summit in New York City to honor cable industry legend John Malone as his half-century career winds down. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026

How the brain shifts as Sunday winds down Sunday acts as a hinge between rest and performance, and the brain treats it accordingly. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 27 May 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