downwind
|down-wind|
/ˈdaʊn.wɪnd/
in the direction the wind blows
Etymology
'downwind' originates from English, specifically the combination of the words 'down' and 'wind', where 'down' originally meant 'toward a lower place' and 'wind' meant 'moving air'.
'down' comes from Old English 'dūn' and 'wind' from Old English 'wind'; the compound appeared in Middle English (e.g. 'down-wynde') and later became the modern English 'downwind'.
Initially it literally combined 'down' + 'wind' to mean 'in the direction the wind blows'; this basic meaning has remained stable into modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the direction or area toward which the wind is blowing; the leeward side.
They moved to the downwind to avoid the spray.
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Adjective 1
located or situated in the direction the wind is blowing; on the leeward side.
They pitched the tents on the downwind side of the hill.
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Adverb 1
in the direction that the wind is blowing (away from the source of the wind).
The campfire smoke drifted downwind toward the parked cars.
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Last updated: 2025/08/13 19:32