leeward

American  

[lee-werd, loo-erd] / ˈli wərd, ˈlu ərd /

adjective

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

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noun

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

adverb

1. toward the lee.

leeward British  

/ ˈluːəd, ˈliːwəd /

adjective

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

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noun

1. the point or quarter towards which the wind blows

2. the side towards the lee

adverb

1. towards the lee

Other Word Forms

• leewardly adverb

Etymology

Origin of leeward

First recorded in 1540–50; lee + -ward

Explanation

The adjective leeward describes an area or side of a boat that's facing away from the wind. If you move to the leeward side of your sailboat, you're shifting to the sheltered, downwind side. You're likely to hear the word leeward when you're on a boat, since wind direction is hugely important when you're sailing. You can, however, use it to describe any area that's protected from the wind, even when you're on land. Your tent might fare best if you pitch it on the leeward side of a valley, for example. The lee part of leeward comes from the Old English hleo, which means "shelter, defense, or protection."

Example Sentences

My father was clambering to get us leeward against capsize when my mother took to the starboard bow.

From Salon • May 11, 2024

The center warned winter visitors heading out Friday or Saturday morning that they could trigger an avalanche on the leeward aspects, or downwind-facing terrain, near the treeline, “especially in steep, exposed terrain.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2024

Henken was injured during the third fleet race Saturday when the American catamaran crashed off its foils and buried the leeward hull in the water.

From Washington Times • Sep. 24, 2023

He looked out on the colony every day from a small food operation where visitors can picnic and hope they aren’t leeward of the day’s winds, for the colony can stink.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2022

He’d ease the handle of the cane over toward the imaginary leeward rail, and two of us would haul in an imaginary rope.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey