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windward

American  
[wind-werd] / ˈwɪnd wərd /

adverb

  1. toward the wind; toward the point from which the wind blows.


adjective

  1. pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the quarter from which the wind blows (leeward ).

noun

  1. the point or quarter from which the wind blows.

  2. the side toward the wind.

idioms

  1. to windward,  in a position of vantage: Also to the windward.

    We got to windward of the difficulty.

windward British  
/ ˈwɪndwəd /

adjective

  1. of, in, or moving to the quarter from which the wind blows

  2. advantageously situated with respect to

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the windward point

  2. the side towards the wind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. towards the wind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • windwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of windward

First recorded in 1540–50; wind 1 + -ward

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This results in higher temperatures being recorded on the downwind side compared with the windward side on the mountains."

From BBC

"Anyone who goes to the beach on Hawai'i's windward coastlines has probably seen these processes in action, even if they weren't aware," said Ackerman.

From Science Daily

These mountains are on Oahu’s wetter, windward side because they trap moisture and rain that move across the island from the northeast.

From Seattle Times

Areas in “severe drought” include Maui’s leeward side — where the now burned town of Lahaina is — while the windward side is considered “abnormally dry.”

From Los Angeles Times

After drifting thousands of miles, the boat found its way Friday to Punaluu on Oahu’s windward coast, where it’s been laying on its side on white sand and rocks.

From Seattle Times