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

“Investors viewed the weaker payrolls backdrop as reducing the likelihood of near-term Fed tightening, thereby easing a key valuation headwind for risk assets,” said Chew.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

“Absent the fuel headwind, we would have delivered a solidly profitable quarter.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem noted that while uncertainty surrounding "US trade policy continues to be a headwind, consumers have been resilient and businesses are adapting."

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

“This one I would predict might last longer than previous ones just because of the numbers. It’s got quite a headwind, but you know it’s not something that would become endemic,” Bailey said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

But inside I’m smiling—because, for the first time in my life, I’ve made fear a tailwind rather than a headwind.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman