windmill
noun
wind·mill
| \ ˈwin(d)-ˌmil
\
\
Definition of windmill
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a mill or machine operated by the wind usually acting on oblique vanes or sails that radiate from a horizontal shaft
especially
: a wind-driven water pump or electric generator
b
: the wind-driven wheel of a windmill
2
: something that resembles or suggests a windmill
especially
: a calisthenic exercise that involves alternately lowering each outstretched hand to touch the toes of the opposite foot
3
[ from the episode in Don Quixote by Cervantes in which the hero attacks windmills under the illusion that they are giants ]
: an imaginary wrong, evil, or opponent
—usually used in the phrase to tilt at windmills
windmill
verb
windmilled;
windmilling;
windmills
Definition of windmill (Entry 2 of 2)
: to cause to move like a windmill
: to move like a windmill
especially
: to spin from the force of wind
Examples of windmill in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Opposing quarterback will scan the middle of the field and see a windmill. — Jon Wilner, The Denver Post, "Pac-12 team previews: Breakthrough season possible for Cal if the offense is no longer offensive," 16 Aug. 2019 President Trump truly, emphatically doesn’t like windmills. — Karen Heller, Washington Post, "The story of Donald Trump’s feud with his one true nemesis: Windmills," 15 Aug. 2019 Behind him stretched a field of solar panels; a large windmill loomed in the background. — The Economist, "South Korea’s government wants greener energy. Who will pay for it?," 15 June 2019 Soon, the dangling 74-year-old was violently churning like a runaway windmill. — Author: Timothy Bella, Anchorage Daily News, "74-year-old spins wildly in basket under Arizona rescue helicopter," 5 June 2019 Viewers of Brown's show know the cookies are all about her hooking up with contestant Peter Weber in an actual windmill during a now-famous Fantasy Suite date. — Lisa Respers France, CNN, "New friends Demi Lovato and 'Bachelorette' Hannah Brown bond over windmill cookies," 31 July 2019 After all, the wheels of the federal government’s machinery often move slower than a windmill on a windless day. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "Vineyard Wind project lands in rough waters," 12 July 2019 Intrusive landscaping, put in place by the Hopes as a privacy measure, was removed — opening the views of the San Jacinto Mountains and Palm Springs’ famous windmills. — Tina Daunt, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: Bob Hope house in Palm Springs, long an architectural footnote, approaches masterpiece status," 8 June 2019 One shining example was producer extraordinaire Jordan Roth, who swanned in a magnificent crimson cape modeled after the famous Moulin Rouge windmill. — Maria Ward, Vogue, "Moulin Rouge! Premieres on Broadway With a Spectacularly Splashy Opening Night," 26 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Singer Roger Daltrey, windmilling guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon were 15 years away from induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — which itself wasn’t even an idea at the time. — Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Daltrey, Townshend bring the Who to Blossom with songs of ‘Quadrophenia’ and ‘Tommy,’ plus new music," 3 Sep. 2019 Look for the Pancakes & Waffles windmills in front of Indiana Farmers Coliseum. — Liz Biro, Indianapolis Star, "Here are the 10 best foods at the Indiana State Fair 2019," 7 Aug. 2019 From there, the Clippers’ front office, primarily president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and GM Michael Winger, brought it home, as owner Steve Ballmer windmilled them around from the coach’s box, checkbook in hand. — Jack Mccallum, SI.com, "A Clippers Summer: How L.A.’s ‘Other’ Team Stole the NBA Offseason," 9 July 2019 As the aircraft descends, which can also take around 20 minutes, the electric motor would run in reverse to act as a generator, turned by the windmilling propeller. — The Economist, "Hybrid airliners could come to dominate the skies," 28 June 2019 Bryan, playing barefoot, occasionally windmilled his guitar. — Jon Caramanica, New York Times, "Hootie & the Blowfish, Great American Rock Band (Yes, Really)," 6 June 2019 Privacy - Terms Take a look: Here’s video, courtesy @astrait25, of Joel Embiid bouncing a ball off a dude’s face and then windmilling on his head at a park at 9th and South in Philly. — Pete Grathoff, kansascity, "Joel Embiid bounces ball off guy's face, dunks during pickup game in Philly," 28 May 2018 So Pollard was at center ice windmilling his arm and pumping his fists. — Dakota Crawford, Indianapolis Star, "Watch Scot Pollard come heartbreakingly close to winning $50,000 for Indy's Julian Center," 15 Jan. 2018 Even with all of that prep, Cain was surprised to see Jirschele windmilling his arms. — Sam Mellinger, kansascity, "Catch ’em while you can: Royals’ stars have one more stand in KC," 26 Sep. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'windmill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for windmill
windmill
noun
English Language Learners Definition of windmill
: a structure that has parts which are turned around by the wind and that is used to produce power, pump water, etc.
See the full definition for windmill in the English Language Learners Dictionary
windmill
noun
wind·mill
| \ ˈwind-ˌmil
\
\
Kids Definition of windmill
: a mill or a machine (as for pumping water) worked by the wind turning sails or vanes at the top of a tower
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