windage

[ win-dij ]

/ ˈwɪn dɪdʒ /

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noun

the influence of the wind in deflecting a missile.

the amount of such deflection.

the degree to which a gunsight must be adjusted to correct for windage.

a difference between the diameter of a projectile and that of the gun bore, for the escape of gas and the prevention of friction.

Nautical. that portion of a vessel's surface upon which the wind acts.

Machinery. friction between a rotor and the air within its casing, as in an electric generator.

Electricity. the resisting influence of air against the rotating armature of a dynamo, creating a power loss.

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Origin of windage

First recorded in 1700–10; wind¹ + -age

Words nearby windage

Winchester disk, Winchester rifle, Winckelmann, wind, windable, windage, Windaus, windbag, windbaggery, wind-bell, windbill

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

How to use windage in a sentence

You have learned to estimate distances, however, even in this rare atmosphere, and possess good judgment as to windage.
Cruisings in the Cascades|George O. Shields
The slide should be drawn all the way back to secure full advantage of the windage.
The Plattsburg Manual|O.O. Ellis and E.B. Garey
The wind gauge is adjusted by means of the windage screw at the right front end of the base of the sight.
Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army|War Department.
Keep a written record of the weather conditions and the corresponding elevation and windage for each day's firing.
Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army|War Department.

The cloud face was stirring, swirling, tearing open from the rush of their opposing windage.
Air Men o' War|Boyd Cable

British Dictionary definitions for windage

windage

/ (ˈwɪndɪdʒ) /

noun

a deflection of a projectile as a result of the effect of the wind
the degree of such deflection
the extent to which it is necessary to adjust the wind gauge of a gun sight in order to compensate for such deflection

the difference between a firearm's bore and the diameter of its projectile

nautical the exposed part of the hull of a vessel responsible for wind resistance

the retarding force upon a rotating machine resulting from the drag of the air

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