noun

headwind

HED-wind

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Headwind (noun) means Wind blowing straight towards a moving vehicle, opposing its direction of travel, as with an aircraft, train or ship. Example: “The pilot warned that a strong headwind would delay the flight by twenty minutes.”

noun

Wind blowing straight towards a moving vehicle, opposing its direction of travel, as with an aircraft, train or ship.

"The pilot warned that a strong headwind would delay the flight by twenty minutes."

"Cyclists find that riding into a headwind takes far more effort than riding with the wind behind them."

"The ship's crossing was slower than usual because of a steady headwind."

How to use headwind

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA wind blowing straight against you as you travel.

When to use it

It is a neutral, everyday word used in weather, aviation and cycling contexts.

Memory tip

Picture the wind hitting the front, or head, of the vehicle; that is where the word gets its name.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

tailwind

Common pairings

a strong headwind fly into a headwind face a headwind

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The pilot warned that a strong _____ would delay the flight by twenty minutes.

Etymology

Headwind comes from Middle English hedwind, which developed from Old English heafodwind, itself a combination of head and wind. It is related to the Old Norse word hofudvindr.

Origin: Old English

Frequently asked questions

What is a headwind?

It is a wind that blows directly against the direction a vehicle such as an aircraft, train or ship is moving.

What is the opposite of a headwind?

The opposite is a tailwind, which blows in the same direction the vehicle is travelling and pushes it along.

Does a headwind slow a plane down?

Yes, a headwind increases the effort and fuel needed to maintain speed, which can slow a flight and lengthen its duration.

What is the meaning of headwind?

"headwind" (noun) means wind blowing straight towards a moving vehicle, opposing its direction of travel, as with an aircraft, train or ship.