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

Against this backdrop, he said, “a further headwind in the form of higher interest rates to exacerbate the Iran war damage” is the last thing the eurozone needs.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

A higher cost of capital would be a headwind to future earnings growth, Mulberry noted in emailed comments.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

Another headwind is index provider MSCI’s recent removal of Amman Mineral Internasional’s stock from its global standard indexes, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Ahmed observes the large contracts create an annual recurring revenue headwind when they finish, and tells clients in a note that he sees the on-demand GPU pool return metrics as more attractive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

The little ship, like most traders of the Inmost Sea, bore the high fore-and-aft sail that can be turned to catch a headwind, and her master was a handy seaman, proud of his skill.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin