wind chill

American  

[wind chil, win-] / ˈwɪnd ˌtʃɪl, ˈwɪn- /

Or windchill

noun

Meteorology.

1. the apparent temperature felt on the exposed human body owing to the combination of temperature and wind speed.

   Sorry, but when the wind chill is below zero, I lose all interest in skiing.

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wind-chill British  

/ wɪnd- /

noun

1. 1. the serious chilling effect of wind and low temperature: it is measured on a scale that runs from hot to fatal to life and allows for varying combinations of air temperature and wind speed

   2. ( as modifier )

      wind-chill factor

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Etymology

Origin of wind chill

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

“It’s the wind and wind chill coupled with temperatures below freezing that tend to push the operating tolerances beyond their thresholds.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Numerous protesters lined the perimeter of an ICE facility at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, where the temperature was reported to be well below 20 degrees with the wind chill.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

In Chicago, the wind chill could fall to negative 35 degrees Fahrenheit overnight on Thursday.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Another is not expected on Sunday when the Rams play the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional-round game in temperatures that could have a wind chill below zero degrees.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

When I get on the city bus headed toward cam- pus, I'm just another person who doesn't want to freeze to death in the wind chill.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements