headwind

American  

[hed-wind] / ˈhɛdˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a wind opposed to the course of a moving object, especially an aircraft or other vehicle (opposed to tailwind).

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headwind British  

/ ˈhɛdˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a wind blowing directly against the course of an aircraft or ship Compare tailwind

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headwind Scientific  

/ hĕd′wĭnd′ /

1. A wind blowing directly against the course of a moving object, especially an aircraft or ship.

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Etymology

Origin of headwind

First recorded in 1780–90; (a)head + wind ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

headwind

“If long-term yields rise further, that competition could become more pronounced, adding another headwind for equities.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 11, 2026

Indeed, it’s the calendar that should provide another reason for investors to be more bullish, he says, as the “seasonal backdrop is turning from a headwind into a tailwind.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

The macroeconomic backdrop is one headwind for small-caps.

From Barron's ● Sep. 25, 2026

The analysts write that consistently elevated fuel costs could prove a headwind for JetBlue’s path to profitability and prompt airlines across the board to reduce capacity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

The next moment, without warning, the headwind dropped dramatically, and they were traveling much too fast to make the runway.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell