Windward Meaning
/ˈwɪndwə(ɹ)d/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjTowards the wind, or the direction from which the wind is blowing.
adjOn the side exposed to the wind.
Sentence Examples
We learned to approach the campfire from the windward side to avoid the smoke.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The sailors moved to the ____ side of the ship to catch the strong breeze.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sailors steered the ship towards the ____ side of the island to avoid several of the hidden rocks tonight today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English wind Proto-Indo-European *wert-der. Proto-Germanic *wardaz Old English -weard English -ward English windward From wind + -ward.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] but while they own what G. Fox hath written, and that he writ it with a perfect spirit: I say untill they do make some Recantation or Retractation: or shew the Reasons why they doe not, H. Norton who keeps more plainly to his Principles is to windward of them, and the Foxians do but strip themselves naked to be more derided and scorned as the more notorious Juglers and Dissemblers ."
— 1872, Publications of the Narragansett Club: George Fox digg'd out of his burrowes, page 257:
"A vessel has the weather gage of another when she is to windward of her. A weatherly ship is one that works well to windward, making but little leeway."
— 1840, Richard Henry Dana, Two Years before the Mast:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The sailors moved to the ____ side of the ship to catch the strong breeze.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sailors steered the ship towards the ____ side of the island to avoid several of the hidden rocks tonight today.