noun
plural winds
a natural movement of air outside [count]
[count] :something that has force or influence
[noncount] :the ability to breathe normally
[noncount] Brit :gas in the stomach or intestines
winds [plural] music :musical instruments (such as flutes and horns) that are played by blowing air into them :wind instruments
break wind
to pass gas out of the anus
catch/get wind of (something)
to hear about (something private or secret)
get/have the wind up
Brit informal :to become/be afraid or nervous
in the wind
about to happen
like the wind
very fast
put the wind up (someone)
Brit informal :to make (someone) afraid or nervous
sail close to the wind
straw in the wind
take the wind out of someone's sails
to cause someone to lose confidence or energy
three sheets to the wind
throw/fling/cast caution to the wind
verb
/ˈwaɪnd/ winds; wound /ˈwaʊnd/; winding
of a river, road, etc. :to follow a series of curves and turns [no obj]
[+ obj] :to wrap (something, such as a string) around something
[+ obj] :to turn a knob, handle, etc., several times on something (such as a clock) so that it can work
wind down
[phrasal verb]
to end gradually
to relax and stop thinking about work, problems, etc. :unwind
wind up
[phrasal verb]
to end
wind (something) up or wind up (something) :to end or complete (something)
to reach or come to a place, situation, or condition that was not planned or expected
US