ENGLISH
REFERENCE

winding

adj. · n.
US //ˈwaɪndɪŋ// wind·ing
  1. 1 twisting or curving (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having many curves and turns rather than being straight.

    following a twisting or sinuous course; characterized by multiple bends or turns.

    Example

    The car drove slowly up the winding mountain road.

    Example

    The hikers followed a winding trail through the dense forest, eventually emerging at a clearing that overlooked the valley below.
  2. 2 indirect speech (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    describing a way of speaking or writing that is long and does not get to the point.

    of speech or writing: characterized by a lack of directness; rambling or roundabout in delivery.

    Example

    He gave a long, winding explanation that didn't really answer my question.

    Example

    The author's winding prose, while beautiful, often obscured the central theme of the narrative for less patient readers.
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  1. 3 a turn or bend (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a single turn or bend in a road, river, or path.

    a single curve, bend, or turn in a sinuous object or path.

    Example

    We could see the windings of the river from the top of the hill.

    Example

    The ancient map meticulously detailed every winding of the coastline, providing vital information for the approaching fleet.
  2. 4 coiled material (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Technical

    something that is wrapped or twisted around something else, like wire in a motor.

    a length of something, such as wire or rope, that is coiled or wrapped around a core or central object.

    Example

    The mechanic checked the copper winding inside the electric motor.

    Example

    The transformer failed because the protective insulation on the primary winding had degraded over decades of continuous use.
Etymology 1

The noun is derived from Middle English winding, windinge, wyndynge (“act of exposing something to the wind, airing, ventilating; act of winnowing (?)”), from winden, wynden (“to expose (something) to the air or wind, ventilate; to cause (someone) to be out of breath; to winnow (wheat); of an animal: to catch the scent of (someone or something)”) + -ing, -inge (suffix forming gerund nouns, and the present participle forms of verbs). The adjective is derived from the verb. The English word is analysable as wind (“to blow air through (a wind instrument or horn) to make a sound; to cause (someone) to become breathless; to winnow (food grain), etc.”) + -ing (suffix forming present participial adjectives and verbs, and nouns denoting an action or the embodiment of an action).

Etymology 2

The noun is derived from Middle English winding, windinge, wyndynge (“directional change, curve, turn; bend of the leg at the knee; meandering course of a river; act of turning and twisting; twisting of things (especially thread) together; wrapping of a cloth around something; wattling of a structure; wattle(s); ornamentation with interwoven patterns; hoisting of something”) [and other forms], and then partly: * from winden, wynden (“to go, move; to move forcefully or suddenly; to direct, guide, lead; to go along a meandering or twisting course; to move in a circular pattern, revolve, turn; to move restlessly, toss and turn; to wriggle free; to move with a turning or twisting motion, bend, turn, twist; to form or mould (something) in one’s hands; to mix together; to cover; to clothe, dress; to wrap (a baby, a corpse, etc.); to encircle, surround; to bind; to interlace; to winch; (figurative) to conceal, disguise; to embroil, involve”) + -ing, -inge (suffix forming gerund nouns, and the present participle forms of verbs).; and from Old English windung (“woven object”), from windan (“to twist, wind; to circle, curl, eddy, spiral”) (from Proto-Germanic windaną (“to wind; to wrap”), from Proto-Indo-European *wendʰ- (“to turn; to wind”)) + -ung (suffix forming nouns denoting a verbal action or something involved in a verbal action). The adjective is derived from the verb. The English word is analysable as wind (“to turn coils of (a cord, etc.) around something; to encircle, enfold, entwist, wrap; to travel in a way that is not straight”) + -ing (suffix forming present participial adjectives and verbs, and nouns denoting an action or the embodiment of an action).

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