# windshield

/ˈwɪndˌʃiɫd/ (US) · /wˈɪndʃiːld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/windshield
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. vehicle window

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

the large glass window at the front of a car, truck, or bus.

For teachers: a transparent screen of glass or plastic at the front of a vehicle to protect the driver and passengers.

- A small stone hit the windshield while I was driving on the highway.
- The heavy rain made it difficult to see through the windshield, even with the wipers set to their maximum speed.

Usage: In British English, this is almost always called a 'windscreen'.

### 2. microphone cover

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a foam or mesh cover for a microphone that stops wind noise.

For teachers: a protective cover for a microphone designed to minimize wind noise and plosive sounds during recording.

- The reporter put a fuzzy windshield on the mic before starting the outdoor interview.
- Without a proper windshield, the audio recording was ruined by the gusty conditions at the summit.

### 3. ammunition part

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a pointed cover on the front of a large bullet to help it fly faster.

For teachers: an aerodynamic fairing attached to the nose of a projectile to reduce air resistance during flight.

- The shell was fitted with a metal windshield to improve its range.
- Engineers designed a lightweight windshield for the armor-piercing rounds to ensure a more stable ballistic trajectory.

## Examples

- A small stone hit the windshield and left a crack.
- The driver turned on the wipers to clear the heavy rain from the windshield so he could see the road.
- Modern automotive safety standards require the windshield to be made of laminated glass, which prevents it from shattering into dangerous shards during a high-speed collision.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.