(tr) to lower or move down by cranking
(intr) (of a clock spring) to become slack
(intr) to diminish gradually in force or power; relax
First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of the verb phrase wind down
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“However, the sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices in recent weeks ultimately has left us with no alternative but to pursue an orderly wind-down of the Company.”
From Slate ● May 5, 2026
But discussions collapsed and the carrier said in an announcement on its website on Saturday that with "great disappointment" the airline had "started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately".
From BBC ● May 2, 2026
It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately.
From Salon ● May 2, 2026
“The wind-down has to be orderly. The only way to do that is to do it all at once,” Davis said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
Reggie takes a deep breath, a wind-down breath.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
You’re craving something indulgent yet simple as you wind down.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
As rescue teams wind down efforts to salvage survivors from the rubble, and as residents leave the city -- due to dire economic prospects, trauma or both -- the streets appear more deserted than ever.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
Greece’s regulator didn’t approve Binance’s application before a July 1 deadline that requires unlicensed crypto firms to wind down their local businesses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
But under pressure from the US, it may be left with no option other than to wind down, if not stop, its military campaign.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
It began to wind down so steeply that she had to dig her staff into the ground to keep from skidding.
From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat
TD was squeezed in the quarter by charges for employee severance and other personnel-related costs, asset impairment and certain business wind-downs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
With my phone constantly itching in my pocket, begging to be used, it accompanies me throughout the day: during morning showers for music, afternoon walks to the dining hall, and nighttime wind-downs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025
Previously announced wind-downs of Citi's consumer business in Korea and its overall presence in Russia are in progress.
From Reuters ● Oct. 9, 2023
Operating units overseas, including those in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Japan, have entered administration proceedings, or wind-downs, in those countries, Ziman said.
From BusinessWeek ● Nov. 8, 2011
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
