Windbreaker

American  

[wind-brey-ker] / ˈwɪndˌbreɪ kər /

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a jacket of wind-resistant material with close-fitting elastic hip band and cuffs.

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Explanation

A windbreaker is a lightweight jacket that keeps you feeling comfortable on a breezy day. You might want to grab your windbreaker before that boat ride — it gets chilly out on the water! The word windbreaker has been around since at least 1918, although originally it described a leather shirt worn as a wind-resistant layer. In some English-speaking places, it's more common to use the word windcheater. Today's windbreaker, generally made of light, synthetic materials, has evolved from wool or cotton versions that were popular in the mid-20th century. In fact, the John Rissman Company trademarked the word in the 1940s, calling their gabardine jacket "the only genuine Windbreaker."

Example Sentences

Shohei Ohtani had his first home run as a Dodger, and Team Yellow Windbreaker was on a mission to secure the milestone ball.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2024

Risher, who wore a dark blue Virginia cap and Windbreaker, khakis, and white sneakers, tailgated with friends for a while.

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2016

“I remember it being 20 below outside, and the pipes in our mobile home froze,” Saunders said, “and my dad was out there in just a Windbreaker with a blow torch, trying to unfreeze them.”

From New York Times • Jan. 6, 2013

I then placed it in the sleeve of my Windbreaker and carried it out, kind of swinging it in a natural arm motion.

From Time Magazine Archive

The man was dressed in a bright blue Windbreaker and was fidgeting with the sweat-stained Toronto Blue Jays baseball cap he held in his hands.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• cloak
• frock
• jacket
• overcoat
• raincoat
• suit
• tuxedo
• wrap