wind vane

[ wind ]

noun

1. weather vane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wind vane¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

For decades, this state was a reliable wind vane of American politics.

From New York Times

It was the nightly relay of the weather data, gathered from the wind vanes and barometers surrounding their home, a secluded meteorological station on the isolated banks of the Ket River.

From New York Times

“He’s a wind vane, he’s got no base and the community is divided because of it.”

From Washington Times

The sensor, several inches long, is essentially a small wind vane affixed to the jet’s fuselage.

From Seattle Times

The sensors, which are effectively wind vanes on the jet’s nose, have malfunctioned in the past, for a variety of reasons, including bird strikes, according to the former engineers.

From New York Times