wind-down

[ wahynd-doun ]

noun

1. an act or instance of winding down, as in intensity:

   a gradual wind-down in hostilities.

wind down

/ waɪnd /

verb

1. tr to lower or move down by cranking
2. intr (of a clock spring) to become slack
3. intr to diminish gradually in force or power; relax

Word History and Origins

Origin of wind-down¹

First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of the verb phrase wind down

Idioms and Phrases

Diminish gradually, draw to a close, as in By midnight the party had wound down . [Mid-1900s] Also see wind up .

Example Sentences

As combat operations in Afghanistan wind down, so too does the main driver of NATO defense cooperation.

From The Daily Beast

Obama in many ways has sought to wind down that war in his second term.

From The Daily Beast

Many artists wind down in their twilight years, but not Matisse.

From The Daily Beast

When things go dark, our body begins to wind down and prepare for sleep.

From The Daily Beast

This time, however, it might not be so easy to wind down the crisis.

From The Daily Beast

My house stands on the side of a hill, and the cocoanut trees wind down to the shore.

From Project Gutenberg

Away they sped like the wind down the smooth road, through a leafless forest.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon he began to wind down the glaring chalk-track, and reached grass levels.

From Project Gutenberg

I saw their gaunt figures wind down the valley, and watched them till they disappeared in the distance.

From Project Gutenberg

Then we reach leetle stream south of woods, stream wind down through Payson.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abolish
• abort
• adjourn
• annul
• cancel
• cease
• complete
• conclude
• cut off
• determine
• discharge
• discontinue
• dismiss
• dissolve
• eliminate
• expire
• halt
• put an end to
• recess
• restrict