winding Meaning & Definition
What Does Winding Mean?
As a noun, winding means material (such as wire) wound or coiled about an object (such as an armature). It can also mean a single turn of the wound material. As an adjective, it means marked by winding. As a verb, it means to make short of breath.
Winding: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, adjective, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈwīn-diŋ/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | crooked, twist and meandering |
| Antonyms | straight, straightaway and direct |
| Plural | windings |
| Comparative / superlative | more winding, most winding |
Winding Definition (Noun)
- material (such as wire) wound or coiled about an object (such as an armature)
- a single turn of the wound material
- the act of one that winds
- the manner of winding something
- a curved or sinuous course, line, or progress
Winding as an Adjective
- marked by winding: such as
- having a curved or spiral course or form
a winding stairway
- having a course that winds
a winding road
Winding as a Verb
- to make short of breath
- to detect or follow by scent
- to expose to the air or wind : dry by exposing to air
- to regulate the wind supply of (an organ pipe)
- to rest (an animal, such as a horse) in order to allow the breath to be recovered
- to scent game
- to pause for breath
Verb
- to turn completely or repeatedly about an object : coil, twine
- to encircle or cover with something pliable : bind with loops or layers
- to raise to a high level (as of excitement or tension)
- to tighten the spring of
wind a clock
- crank
- to make tighter : tighten, tune
- to hoist or haul by means of a rope or chain and a windlass
- to move (a ship) by hauling on a capstan
- to traverse on a curving course
the river winds the valley
- to cause to move in a curving line or path
- to effect by or as if by curving
- to cause (something, such as a ship) to change direction : turn
- to turn (a ship) end for end
- to turn the course of
- to lead (a person) as one wishes
- entangle, involve
- to introduce sinuously or stealthily : insinuate
- weave
- to have a curving course or shape : extend in curves
- to proceed as if by winding
- to move so as to encircle something
- to turn when lying at anchor
- bend, warp
Verb
- to cause (something, such as a horn) to sound by blowing : blow
- to sound (a call or note) on a horn
… wound a rousing call.
- to produce a sound on a horn
Synonyms of Winding
Antonyms of Winding
Winding in a Sentence
The boxer was winded during round two.
The hounds winded the game.
to wind thread on a spool or into a ball
Please wind that old-fashioned alarm clock.
Vines wind round a pole. The river winds through the plain.
to wind a rope with twine
a winding stairway
a winding road
wind a clock
the river winds the valley
… wound a rousing call.
a long and winding path through the woods
a winding staircase leads to the top of the lighthouse
flowering vines wind around the porch's graceful columns
self-interest winds itself into everything that he does—even his alleged favors for other people
Word Forms & Grammar
winding
windings
wind·ed
wind·ing
winds
wind
winded
wound
winding (countable and uncountable, plural windings)
winding (not generally comparable, comparative more winding, superlative most winding)
winding (comparative more winding, superlative most winding)
Words That Rhyme With Winding
Origin of Winding
Origin 1: Middle English, from Old English windan to twist, move with speed or force, brandish; akin to Old High German wintan to wind, Umbrian ohavendu let him turn aside
Origin 2: wind:1
Origin 3: The noun is derived from Middle English winding, windinge, wyndynge (“act of exposing something to the wind, airing, ventilating; act of winnowing (?)”),[1] from winden, wynden (“to expose (something) to the air or wind, ventilate; to cause (someone) to be out of breath; to winnow (wheat); of an animal: to catch the scent of (someone or something)”)[2] + -ing, -inge (suffix forming gerund nouns, and the present participle forms of verbs).[3]
Origin 4: The adjective is derived from the verb.[4]
Origin 5: The English word is analysable as wind (“to blow air through (a wind instrument or horn) to make a sound; to cause (someone) to become breathless; to winnow (food grain), etc.”) + -ing (suffix forming present participial adjectives and verbs, and nouns denoting an action or the embodiment of an action).[5]
Origin 6: The noun is derived from Middle English winding, windinge, wyndynge (“directional change, curve, turn; bend of the leg at the knee; meandering course of a river; act of turning and twisting; twisting of things (especially thread) together; wrapping of a cloth around something; wattling of a structure; wattle(s); ornamentation with interwoven patterns; hoisting of something”) [and other forms],[6] and then partly:
First Known Use
before 12th century
14th century
15th centuryt
before 12th centuryt
1504t
How Do You Say Winding?
The standard pronunciation of winding is /ˈwīn-diŋ/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (wīn).
Questions People Ask About Winding
Is winding a noun or an adjective?
Winding is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective and a verb.
What is another word for winding?
You can replace winding with words such as crooked, twist and meandering. See the full list of winding synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of winding?
Antonyms of winding include straight, straightaway, direct and linear.
What is the plural of winding?
The plural of winding is windings.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of winding?
The comparative form is more winding and the superlative form is most winding.