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trade wind

American  
[wind] / wɪnd /

noun

  1. Also called trades.  Also trade winds any of the nearly constant easterly winds that dominate most of the tropics and subtropics throughout the world, blowing mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere, and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.

  2. any wind that blows in one regular course, or continually in the same direction.


trade wind British  
/ wɪnd /

noun

  1. a wind blowing obliquely towards the equator either from the northeast in the N hemisphere or the southeast in the S hemisphere, approximately between latitudes 30° N and S, forming part of the planetary wind system

"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

Etymology

Origin of trade wind

First recorded in 1625–35

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.

This is a strip along the west coast of South America, west of the Andes, lying north of 30 degrees south latitude, at the southern edge of the trade wind belt.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

As we followed a trail through waist-high grass, the sun was hot and a ridge blocked the breeze, the steady trade wind that reliably ventilates the Caribbean.

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2015

Pettersson usually hits a 6-iron into the 554-yard 17th hole, which is downhill with the trade wind typical helping.

From Golf Digest • Jan. 7, 2011

The typical trade wind is required to take advantage, although the Kona wind out of the opposite direction can be a bear.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2011

And for once, the trade wind was not blowing.

From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor

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