(tr) to lower or move down by cranking
(intr) (of a clock spring) to become slack
(intr) to diminish gradually in force or power; relax
First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of the verb phrase wind down
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A notice published on the Treasury's website on Tuesday said it would allow a wind-down period to 17 July for transactions that had been allowed under the waiver.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
“However, the sudden and sustained rise in fuel prices in recent weeks ultimately has left us with no alternative but to pursue an orderly wind-down of the Company.”
From Slate ● May 5, 2026
It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately.
From Salon ● May 2, 2026
“The wind-down has to be orderly. The only way to do that is to do it all at once,” Davis said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
Reggie takes a deep breath, a wind-down breath.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
As rescue teams wind down efforts to salvage survivors from the rubble, and as residents leave the city -- due to dire economic prospects, trauma or both -- the streets appear more deserted than ever.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
U.S. stocks looked poised for a rebound and oil was sliding after the U.S. and Iran signed their interim pact to wind down the war.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
And one hot AI trade that is starting to wind down is the “bottleneck trade,” says Altreides Management managing partner Gavin Baker.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
He says you won't fall asleep the second the final whistle blows either because "you're going to get so energised, it'll be difficult to wind down".
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026
Heavy sunflowers weeping over fences; iris curling and browning at the edges far away from their purple hearts; ears of com letting their auburn hair wind down to their stalks.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
TD was squeezed in the quarter by charges for employee severance and other personnel-related costs, asset impairment and certain business wind-downs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
With my phone constantly itching in my pocket, begging to be used, it accompanies me throughout the day: during morning showers for music, afternoon walks to the dining hall, and nighttime wind-downs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025
Previously announced wind-downs of Citi's consumer business in Korea and its overall presence in Russia are in progress.
From Reuters ● Oct. 9, 2023
Operating units overseas, including those in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Japan, have entered administration proceedings, or wind-downs, in those countries, Ziman said.
From BusinessWeek ● Nov. 8, 2011
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.
