downwind

adverb or adjective

down·​wind ˈdau̇n-ˈwind 

: in the direction that the wind is blowing

Synonyms of downwind

• leeward

Examples of downwind in a Sentence

we were downwind of the deer, so it couldn't smell us

Recent Examples on the Web

Gusts of 35 to 50 mph may briefly occur downwind of ridges through late morning. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026

Years later, investigators reconstructed the outbreak and found that human cases and livestock deaths followed a narrow zone extending downwind from the military facility. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Yet research from University of Southern California in 2021 found neighbors closer to the Murphy wells or directly downwind had significantly lower lung function than those living further away. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Learn to identify the tracks beneath your feet, discover the medicinal uses of native plants, understand how to approach animals downwind, and spend your evenings around the campfire beneath a sky ablaze with stars. — Nicola Shepherd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for downwind

• chagrined
• rescind
• upwind
• whirlwind
• woodwind
• finned
• ginned
• grinned
• pinned
• sinned
• skinned
• thinned

Kids Definition

downwind

adverb or adjective

down·​wind ˈdau̇n-ˈwind 

: in the direction that the wind is blowing