leeward
Americanadjective
noun
adverb
adjective
noun
-
the point or quarter towards which the wind blows
-
the side towards the lee
adverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of leeward
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."
Vocabulary lists containing leeward
The Cay
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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The Waste Land
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My father was clambering to get us leeward against capsize when my mother took to the starboard bow.
From Salon ● May 11, 2024
“Although an area of showers is moving over the islands this morning, it has not brought significant rainfall to leeward areas,” the latest weather service warning said.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2023
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
Areas in “severe drought” include Maui’s leeward side — where the now burned town of Lahaina is — while the windward side is considered “abnormally dry.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2023
They followed a row of torches up an uneven path to the leeward side of the prison.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
