tailwind

American  

[teyl-wind] / ˈteɪlˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a wind coming from directly behind a moving object, especially an aircraft or other vehicle (opposed to headwind).

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tailwind British  

/ ˈteɪlˌwɪnd /

noun

1. a wind blowing in the same direction as the course of an aircraft or ship Compare headwind

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Etymology

Origin of tailwind

First recorded in 1895–1900; tail ¹ + wind ¹

Explanation

When a strong breeze sends your kite soaring higher into the sky, that helpful gust is a tailwind. A tailwind is a wind that blows in the same direction an aircraft or ship is moving, giving it a helpful boost. In aviation and sailing, a tailwind can help planes and boats move faster and use less fuel. For runners and cyclists, a tailwind can make the journey feel easier and quicker. Whether you're flying, sailing, or just riding your bike, a tailwind is like a friendly push from nature, making your trip smoother and faster.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tailwind

The Australian investment manager will provide MS platform services for ASX-listed and domestic investments, and Morgans analyst James Filius sees this as a sign of a net-flows tailwind for fiscal 2027 through fiscal 2030.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Higher U.S. rates are generally seen as a tailwind for the dollar.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

But the strategists also see this AI tailwind reducing following the rebalance of the sector’s weighting in the index from 15% to 7%.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

While company-specific execution remains important, a more supportive rate environment could provide a meaningful tailwind for the sector in the months ahead.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

The tailwind had stiffened further, slicing up the length of the lake now, piling more rough water into heaps of whitecaps at the north end.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown