williwaw

[ wil-ee-waw ]

/ ˈwɪl iˌwɔ /

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noun

a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.

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Origin of williwaw

First recorded in 1835–45; origin uncertain

Words nearby williwaw

willing horse, willingly, willingness, Willis, Williston, williwaw, Willkie, will-less, Willmar City, will not hear of, will-o'-the-wisp

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

How to use williwaw in a sentence

On the afternoon of the tenth day on the island the sky clouded up and Mr. Gibney predicted a williwaw.
Captain Scraggs|Peter B. Kyne
A williwaw began in the hills ahead and swept out and set the ship to reeling crazily in its erratic currents.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, August 1930|Various

British Dictionary definitions for williwaw

williwaw

/ (ˈwɪlɪˌwɔː) /

noun US and Canadian

a sudden strong gust of cold wind blowing offshore from a mountainous coast, as in the Strait of Magellan

a state of great turmoil

Word Origin for williwaw

C19: of unknown origin

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