windmill
2 synonyms for windmill, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A structure with rotating sails that harnesses wind power to grind grain, pump water, or generate electricity.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
aerogenerator
wind generator
How to use windmill
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tilt at windmills
windmill dunk
windmill your arms
Etymology
A straightforward compound of wind + mill; the phrase "tilting at windmills" (fighting imaginary enemies) comes from Don Quixote, who attacked windmills believing them to be giants.
Full origin of windmill →Frequently asked questions
What does “windmill” mean?
The word “windmill” means a structure with rotating sails that harnesses wind power to grind grain, pump water, or generate electricity. In plain terms, a wind-powered machine with rotating blades, or to swing a limb in a big circular motion.
How do you pronounce “windmill”?
“Windmill” is pronounced WIHN-mihl (/ˈwɪn(d).mɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “windmill” in a sentence?
Here is “windmill” used in a sentence: “The old windmill once ground flour for the whole village.”
What part of speech is “windmill”?
Depending on how it is used, “windmill” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “windmill” a common word?
“Windmill” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “windmill” have?
“Windmill” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a structure with rotating sails that harnesses wind power to grind grain, pump water, or generate electricity.
