leeward

[ lee-werd; Nautical loo-erd ]

/ ˈli wərd; Nautical ˈlu ərd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for leeward on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the quarter toward which the wind blows (opposed to windward).

noun

the lee side; the point or quarter toward which the wind blows.

adverb

toward the lee.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of leeward

First recorded in 1540–50; lee + -ward

OTHER WORDS FROM leeward

lee·ward·ly, adverb

Words nearby leeward

leet, lee tide, leetspeak, Leeuwarden, Leeuwenhoek, leeward, Leeward Islands, lee wave, leeway, Le Fanu, Lefkoşa

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use leeward in a sentence

The trees slow the velocity of the snow, which settles on the leeward side of the trunks, forming drifts 20 feet deep.
Tragedy in Baffin Bay|jversteegh|February 14, 2022|Outside Online
More recent storms buried that weak layer with feet of wind-deposited snow, and the conditions formed a huge slab on a leeward-facing slope above the trail.
How Could a Trail Fit for a Toddler Be the Site of a Deadly Disaster?|Fred Dreier|January 21, 2022|Outside Online
In due course, these penguins also depart for the leeward side.
Math of the Penguins|Susan D'Agostino|August 17, 2020|Quanta Magazine
In fact, several characters look to shed their skin, to remake themselves, to find a leeward point from which to leap.
‘Mad Men’ Season 6 Review: Triumphant, Lyrical, and Way Existential|Jace Lacob|April 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Frank leaped ashore and pushed the boat off, while Mayne held her by jamming the leeward oar into the mud.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
The Dick being a little to leeward of our track, had four fathoms; but the least we had was five and three-quarters.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
At this point he lost his balance, and went rolling to leeward like an empty cask.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The boat drove quite two miles to leeward before the tug got hold of her again.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
After boring for ten hours in the worst of the tremendous sea, he saw a vessel to leeward of him, flying signals of distress.
The Chequers|James Runciman

British Dictionary definitions for leeward

leeward

/ (ˈliːwəd, nautical ˈluːəd) mainly nautical /

adjective

of, in, or moving to the quarter towards which the wind blows

noun

the point or quarter towards which the wind blows

the side towards the lee

adverb

towards the lee

Compare windward

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

leeward

Origin of leeward

OTHER WORDS FROM leeward

Words nearby leeward

Words related to leeward

How to use leeward in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for leeward