Downwind: meaning, definitions and examples

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downwind

 

[ ˈdaʊnˌwɪnd ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

wind direction

Downwind refers to the direction in which the wind is blowing. It describes a location or movement that is in the direction of the wind's flow, making it significant in contexts like aviation, sailing, or outdoor activities.

Synonyms

leeward, windward.

Examples of usage

  • The smoke drifted downwind from the fire.
  • We decided to set up camp downwind of the river.
  • The bird flew downwind to catch the breeze.

Translations

Translations of the word "downwind" in other languages:

🇵🇹 a sotavento

🇮🇳 downwind

🇩🇪 abwärts

🇮🇩 ke arah angin

🇺🇦 позаду вітру

🇵🇱 w dół wiatru

🇯🇵 風下

🇫🇷 au sous-vent

🇪🇸 a favor del viento

🇹🇷 rüzgarın arkasında

🇰🇷 바람 아래

🇸🇦 أسفل الرياح

🇨🇿 po větru

🇸🇰 po vetre

🇨🇳 顺风

🇸🇮 po vetru

🇮🇸 niður vindinn

🇰🇿 желдің төменгі жағында

🇬🇪 ქარის ქვემოთ

🇦🇿 küləkdən aşağı

🇲🇽 a favor del viento

Etymology

The term 'downwind' is a compound of 'down' and 'wind'. The word 'down' comes from Old English 'dūn', meaning 'a hill', which is not directly related but represents a downward movement, while 'wind' originates from Old English 'wind', meaning 'air in motion'. The usage of 'downwind' dates back to the early 19th century, correlating to the growing importance of wind in navigation and sailing. In this compound form, 'downwind' captures the essence of directionality with respect to wind flow, becoming particularly relevant in activities where wind can significantly influence performance, such as aviation, sailing, and even sports like paragliding. Understanding downwind conditions is crucial for safety and strategy in these contexts.