windup
Americannoun
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the conclusion of any action, activity, etc.; the end or close.
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a final act or part.
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Baseball. the preparatory movements of the arm before pitching a ball.
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Informal. a mechanical object, as a toy or wristwatch, that is driven by a spring or similar mechanism that must be wound.
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an act or instance of winding up.
Etymology
Origin of windup
First recorded in 1565–75; noun use of verb phrase wind up
Explanation
In baseball, the arm and body movements a pitcher makes just before throwing the ball are collectively called the windup. Sports announcers repeat this phrase throughout baseball games: "Here's the windup...and the pitch!" You can also use windup to mean "conclusion." At the windup of a lengthy meeting, everyone will collect their papers and laptops, and several people will yawn and stretch. The windup of a political campaign might include one last speech and a full-page ad in a newspaper, just before the election. This is the oldest meaning of windup, dating from the 16th century. As an adjective, windup can mean "operated by a mechanism," like a windup toy.
Vocabulary lists containing windup
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.
They had Peralta ditch his full windup and pitch exclusively out of the stretch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
“I saw his windup and he looked like he was calm and composed and I tried it. I felt more of a rhythm. I was able to calm down and pitch better,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
On Wednesday he was an automaton, almost like a windup toy.
From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2025
Early designs included fake vomit and a plastic robot called Mr. Machine, a windup robot that was transparent, allowing children to see how the gears worked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025
Sister Ignatia lunged at the madwoman, who took several windup steps in place before speeding away in a flash.
From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill
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