wind down

verb

wound down also winded down; winding down; winds down

intransitive verb

1
: to draw gradually toward an end
the party was winding down
2
: relax, unwind
wind down with a good book

transitive verb

: to cause a gradual lessening of usually with the intention of bringing to an end

Examples of wind down in a Sentence

not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even as taxpayers and tax professionals were winding down from tax season, there was chaos at the IRS. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 As the first 20 minutes were winding down, Byfield got his second career playoff goal on a bank shot off Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 Harvard Medical School is preparing for possible layoffs and the School of Public Health, which received three stop-work orders on research this week, is winding down two leases in off-campus buildings. Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025 As the night winds down, two visitors pop by: Stack and Mary, dressed in lavish, colorful ’90s clothing. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wind down

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wind down was in 1952

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wind down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20down. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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