windward

[ wind-werd ]

adverb
  1. toward the wind; toward the point from which the wind blows.

adjective
  1. pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the quarter from which the wind blows (opposed to leeward).

noun
  1. the point or quarter from which the wind blows.

  2. the side toward the wind.

Idioms about windward

  1. to windward, in a position of vantage: We got to windward of the difficulty.: Also to the windward.

Origin of windward

1
First recorded in 1540–50; wind1 + -ward

Other words from windward

  • wind·ward·ness, noun

Words Nearby windward

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use windward in a sentence

  • I have heard Joe say that small shot couldn't have hit you very much harder than the drift when you looked to windward.

    The Chequers | James Runciman
  • Without her powerful engines to tow it to windward of the wrecks the lifeboat would be much, very much, less useful than it is.

  • The hawser was slipped as he spoke; the lifeboat was hauled slowly but steadily to windward up to her anchor.

  • They found their way up on to the windward side of the promenade, which was absolutely deserted.

    The Double Four | E. Phillips Oppenheim
  • It was no easy thing to hold the yacht on its course, even with no sail to drive it up to windward.

    The Rival Campers | Ruel Perley Smith

British Dictionary definitions for windward

windward

/ (ˈwɪndwəd) mainly nautical /


adjective
  1. of, in, or moving to the quarter from which the wind blows

  2. to windward of advantageously situated with respect to

noun
  1. the windward point

  2. the side towards the wind

adverb
  1. towards the wind

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