wind-down
noun
an act or instance of winding down, as in intensity.
wind-down
American
[wahynd-doun]
/ ˈwaɪndˌdaʊn /
noun
wind down
British
/ waɪnd /
verb
-
(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
wind down
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of wind-down
First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of the verb phrase wind down
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.
“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 company said that the lack of additional funding meant that Spirit "had no choice but to begin this wind-down."
From Barron's • May 2, 2026
The wind-down of the investigation of the Fed chair could end an impasse that threatened to delay a leadership transition.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 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
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.
