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
And those connections could prove significant in Connecticut, a state where manufacturing has long been a major economic driver, albeit one that has faced recent headwinds.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
That underlined how Mattel and other toy makers face consumer spending headwinds and tariff disruption to their supply chains.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Funding the Time Lord No decision more neatly demonstrates the nasty headwinds facing scripted than Disney pulling out of the Doctor Who deal with the BBC, BBC Studios and Bad Wolf after just two seasons.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
Indeed, any jitters in China are only playing into wider questions about whether investors should be hedging themselves against headwinds to the dollar.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwind
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P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
That underlined how Mattel and other toy makers face consumer spending headwinds and tariff disruption to their supply chains.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Funding the Time Lord No decision more neatly demonstrates the nasty headwinds facing scripted than Disney pulling out of the Doctor Who deal with the BBC, BBC Studios and Bad Wolf after just two seasons.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
Indeed, any jitters in China are only playing into wider questions about whether investors should be hedging themselves against headwinds to the dollar.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwind
Cite this Entry
“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwind. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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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