winds

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of wind.

   Coastal winds shifted direction as the storm approached.

   The gusty winds scattered papers all over the parking lot.

   Note

   Pluralizing a word that usually names a mass of moving air: the singular readily works as an uncountable noun (there was little wind), while winds counts separate currents, gusts or directions of air. The countable use reaches the figurative side too. When a wind is a tendency or trend, shifting opinions or fashions can be spoken of in the plural.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of wind.

   He carefully winds the rope around the wooden post.

   The river winds through the valley toward the distant sea.

   Note

   Every meaning of this verb comes back to air. A player winds a horn, a blow to the stomach winds a runner, and a hound winds its quarry by scent. In British use a parent winds a baby after a feed, and a crew winds a ship so the wind strikes its other side. Built on the noun, it shares its spelling with the plural noun.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2