windward
windward Lexical Profile
windward Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Facing the wind or situated on the side from which the wind blows.
"The windward slopes of the mountain range receive heavy rainfall throughout the year."
• adverb
Toward the wind; in the direction from which the wind is blowing.
"The captain steered the sailboat windward to gain a better tactical position before the turn."
• noun
The side or direction from which the wind blows.
"The crew spotted another vessel approaching rapidly from the windward."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'windward' (facing the oncoming wind) with 'leeward' (sheltered from the wind, or the direction toward which the wind is blowing).
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the mid-16th century as a nautical term, formed by combining the Old English noun 'wind' with the directional suffix '-ward' (from Old English '-weard', meaning 'turned toward').