windchill
noun
wind·chill
ˈwin(d)-ˌchil 
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as a given combination of temperature and wind speed
called also chill factor, windchill factor, windchill index
Examples of windchill in a Sentence
It's cold outside, and it feels even colder because of the windchill.
Expect windchills in the 20s tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Richer creams packed with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that fortify the skin’s barrier from the coming windchill and the telltale skin tightness from indoor heating take center stage on our top shelves.
—
Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In general, plants don’t feel much in the way of windchill.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Our 160-acre farm was in Barton, Vermont, where temperatures hit 39 degrees below zero one winter (before windchill, and those Vermont winds sure can howl).
—John Klar, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr. 2025
Overnight into Thursday, metro Denver temperatures will hit minus 4 degrees and feel as cold as minus 15 degrees with windchill, NWS forecasters said.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for windchill
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
In general, plants don’t feel much in the way of windchill.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Our 160-acre farm was in Barton, Vermont, where temperatures hit 39 degrees below zero one winter (before windchill, and those Vermont winds sure can howl).
—John Klar, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr. 2025
Overnight into Thursday, metro Denver temperatures will hit minus 4 degrees and feel as cold as minus 15 degrees with windchill, NWS forecasters said.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for windchill
Cite this Entry
“Windchill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windchill. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
windchill
noun
wind·chill
-ˌchil
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human flesh as a given combination of temperature and wind speed
called also windchill factor, windchill index
Medical Definition
windchill
noun
wind·chill
ˈwin(d)-ˌchil
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as a given combination of temperature and wind speed
called also chill factor, windchill factor, windchill index
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share