English Reference

Word

wind

Phoneticswind

/ˈwaɪnd/

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

wind

Past

wound

Past participle

wound

Definitions

01moving air

A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun

n. the natural movement of the air outside.

n. the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction.

“The strong wind blew my hat off while I was walking across the bridge.”

“The prevailing wind carries the scent of the pine forest across the valley, providing a natural cooling effect during the peak of summer.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02breath

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. your ability to breathe easily, especially during exercise.

n. the power of breathing freely; the capacity to maintain respiration during physical exertion.

“The runner stopped for a moment to get her wind back after the steep hill.”

“A sharp blow to the solar plexus can momentarily knock the wind out of an athlete, causing a temporary paralysis of the diaphragm.”

03digestion gas

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine British English

n. gas in the stomach or intestines that can make you feel uncomfortable.

n. gas generated in the stomach or bowels during digestion.

“The baby was crying because she had a bit of wind after her bottle.”

“Certain legumes are known to cause wind if they are not soaked properly before cooking.”

Synonyms

gasflatulence

04musical instruments

B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun Music

n. the section of an orchestra that plays instruments you blow into, like flutes.

n. the woodwind and sometimes brass instruments of an orchestra or band collectively.

“The composer wrote a beautiful melody specifically for the wind section.”

“The arrangement requires a strong wind section to balance the heavy brass and percussion during the final movement.”

Synonyms

woodwind

05rumours

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal

n. information or news that you hear through gossip.

n. information or news of something, typically received through hearsay or informal channels.

“The company tried to keep the merger secret, but the press got wind of it.”

“Investors grew nervous once they got wind of the impending regulatory changes that could affect the firm's profitability.”

06to twist or wrap

B1 · Intermediate

v. to wrap something around something else, or to turn a handle.

v. to wrap or encircle something around an object; to move in a twisting or spiral course.

“You need to wind the wool into a ball before you start knitting.”

“The technician carefully began to wind the copper wire around the iron core to create a makeshift electromagnet.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

unwinduntwist

07to follow a curving path

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to follow a path that has many bends and turns.

v. to follow a course or way that is characterized by numerous turns, bends, or curves.

“The narrow road winds through the mountains for several miles.”

“The river winds lazily through the floodplains, creating a series of oxbow lakes over centuries of erosion.”

Antonyms

08to tighten a spring

B1 · Intermediate

v. to turn a key or handle on a clock or toy to make it work.

v. to tighten the spring of a clockwork mechanism by turning a key or handle.

“Don't forget to wind your watch before you go to sleep.”

“The antique grandfather clock must be wound every seven days to maintain its accuracy.”

Synonyms

09to make breathless

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make someone lose their breath for a short time, usually by hitting them.

v. to cause someone to become temporarily breathless, typically by a blow to the stomach or through sudden intense exertion.

“The fall from the bike winded him for a few seconds.”

“The sudden sprint to catch the departing train completely winded the commuter, who sat gasping on the platform.”

Synonyms

10to help a baby burp

B2 · Upper Intermediate British English

v. to pat a baby's back so they can release gas after eating.

v. to encourage a baby to expel gas from the stomach by patting or stroking their back after feeding.

“It is important to wind the baby after every feed to prevent colic.”

“New parents are often taught various techniques to wind an infant effectively to ensure the child sleeps comfortably.”

Synonyms

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general phenomenon of moving air; countable when referring to a specific instance or type of wind.

Etymology

* As an English surname, from wind (both senses). This surname also appears in Dutch, Danish, Swedish, and German with the same senses, such as Wint. Compare De Wind. * Also as a German surname, variant of Wendt.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Related words

Idioms

Domains

MusicNauticalPhilosophy

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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