headwind

noun

head·​wind ˈhed-ˌwind How to pronounce headwind (audio)
plural headwinds
1
: a wind having the opposite general direction to a course of movement (as of an aircraft)
2
: a force or influence that inhibits progress
Power-plant construction is facing headwinds in the U.S. as renewable energy projects and slack demand throw the economics of new generators into question.Thomas Black
For generations, the tribe has been leaning into cultural headwinds to preserve a language on the brink of extinction.Kevin Simpson
The plan faces political headwinds from both sides of the aisle …Heidi M. Przybyla

Examples of headwind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The poll forecasts a political headwind for Democrats running for a countywide positions on the ballot for the first time, like sheriff, and reinforces the perspective that Florida is a reach for the president’s reelection campaign. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, efforts to build new dispatchable resources face headwinds from government regulations and policies, as well as prevailing investment criteria for financing new energy projects. Jim Vinoski, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Redstone has been more open to offers recently as her holdings struggle against economic headwinds, meeting with a series of firms, including Amazon, Apple, and Netflix. William Gavin, Quartz, 27 Feb. 2024 Spring signaled that Macy's may face some tough near-term headwinds, given the economic struggles of some U.S. shoppers, despite an improving economy. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2024 Political headwinds mounting for BYD BYD sales eclipsed those of longtime heavyweight Tesla in the fourth quarter, sending a shock through the industry. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 Those financial headwinds will likely push more rural hospitals out of business. Markian Hawryluk, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 In recent years, liberal states like California — facing strong headwinds to other gun control measures in federal courts — have sought new ways to combat mass shootings and other deadly gun violence. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 However, many millennials have been affected by the economic headwinds created by the 2007 financial crisis, the pandemic, Brexit, and the invasion of Ukraine. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headwind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headwind was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near headwind

Cite this Entry

“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwind. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

headwind

noun
head·​wind -ˌwind How to pronounce headwind (audio)
: a wind blowing in a direction opposite to a course of movement (as of a ship or aircraft)

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