headwind
noun
head·wind
ˈhed-ˌwind 
plural headwinds
1
: a wind having the opposite general direction to a course of movement (as of an aircraft)
2
: a force or influence that inhibits progress
Power-plant construction is facing headwinds in the U.S. as renewable energy projects and slack demand throw the economics of new generators into question.—
Thomas Black
Thomas BlackFor generations, the tribe has been leaning into cultural headwinds to preserve a language on the brink of extinction.—Kevin Simpson
Kevin SimpsonThe plan faces political headwinds from both sides of the aisle …—Heidi M. Przybyla
Heidi M. PrzybylaExamples of headwind in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The team did, however, tell investors that the headwind was expected to abate in the back half of the year.
—Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
Yet, despite headwinds, high earners are still spending like mad — and credit card companies are offering more and more perks to attract them.
—Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
But this does not mean that the luxury market is not suffering the same headwinds buyers and sellers in the regular housing market have been facing for the past few months—including falling sales.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, an index of regional bank stocks has been lagging behind the broader market in recent years, suggesting that obvious headwinds for the sector, including weak commercial real estate, have already been priced in, Capital Economics said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for headwind
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Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
Yet, despite headwinds, high earners are still spending like mad — and credit card companies are offering more and more perks to attract them.
—Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
But this does not mean that the luxury market is not suffering the same headwinds buyers and sellers in the regular housing market have been facing for the past few months—including falling sales.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, an index of regional bank stocks has been lagging behind the broader market in recent years, suggesting that obvious headwinds for the sector, including weak commercial real estate, have already been priced in, Capital Economics said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for headwind
Cite this Entry
“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwind. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
headwind
noun
head·wind
-ˌwind
: a wind blowing in a direction opposite to a course of movement (as of a ship or aircraft)
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