Weathervane: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฌ๏ธ
weathervane
[ หwษรฐษrหveษชn ]
on a roof
A weathervane is an instrument used to show the direction that the wind is blowing. It typically consists of a rotating arrow with directional indicators, such as north, south, east, and west. Weathervanes are often found on the tops of buildings, especially barns and houses.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| weathervane |
Typically used in general descriptions or in architectural contexts, to describe an instrument that shows wind direction, usually placed on rooftops.
|
| weathercock |
Mostly used in a more specific or historical context and often to describe classic weathervanes that are shaped like a rooster, adding some decorative value. It might come across as old-fashioned or literary.
|
Examples of usage
- The weathervane on top of the barn is spinning wildly in the strong wind.
- The rooster weathervane on the farmhouse points towards the east.
Translations
Translations of the word "weathervane" in other languages:
๐ต๐น cata-vento
๐ฎ๐ณ เคตเฅเคฆเคฐ เคตเฅเคจ
๐ฉ๐ช Wetterfahne
๐ฎ๐ฉ kincir angin cuaca
๐บ๐ฆ ัะปัะณะตั
๐ต๐ฑ wiatrowskaz
๐ฏ๐ต ้ขจ่ฆ้ถ
๐ซ๐ท girouette
๐ช๐ธ veleta
๐น๐ท rรผzgar gรผlรผ
๐ฐ๐ท ํํฅ๊ณ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฏูุงุฑุฉ ุงูุฑูุงุญ
๐จ๐ฟ vฤtrnรก korouhev
๐ธ๐ฐ veternรก koruhva
๐จ๐ณ ้ฃๅๆ
๐ธ๐ฎ vetrnica
๐ฎ๐ธ vindhani
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะตะปะฑะฐััั
๐ฌ๐ช แฅแแ แแก แแแแแ แแฃแแแแแก แแแแแจแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ kรผlษk gรผlรผ
๐ฒ๐ฝ veleta
Etymology
The weathervane has a long history dating back to ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Romans, who used similar devices to measure wind direction. In medieval times, weathervanes became popular in Europe, often featuring decorative elements, such as animals or symbols. Today, weathervanes are still used for practical and decorative purposes on buildings around the world.
See also: weathercock, weathered, weathering, weatherman, weatherproof, weatherproofing, weatherstripping, weatherward, wether.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #38,149, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.