windmill Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: idiomsAH Idiom Dictionary
windmill definition

wind·mill (wind′mil′)

noun

  1. a mill operated by the wind's rotation of large, oblique sails or vanes radiating from a shaft: used as a source of power for grinding grain, pumping water, generating electricity, etc.
  2. anything like a windmill, as a propellerlike toy (pinwheel) revolved by wind

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to rotate like a windmill
windmill Idioms

fight windmills

or tilt at windmills
to fight imaginary evils or opponents: from Don Quixote's charging at windmills under the delusion that they were giants

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms windmill idiom

windmill Synonyms

windmill

n.

rotating wheel, wind-driven wheel, post mill, tower mill, wind-charger, smock mill, water pump; see also mill 2, pump.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

windmill Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • erect: The desert and time's collapsing a wooden shack and cross but leaving erect a flimsy wood windmill, is poetic license.

Preposition: with

  • terrace: Mallorca C'an Picafort, North Mallorca: Converted windmill with terraces and pool in rural location suits family groups with separate living accommodation.

Adjective modifier

  • converted: Also on this section, before the wharves, is an old converted windmill.

Modifies a noun

  • sail: The main reason he's famous is because of his death defying walks between the windmill sails, while they are turning.

Noun used with modifier

  • smock: February 19 th 1834 To be sold a smock tower windmill at Lamarsh, Essex, drives two stones.
windmill usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

windmill quotes

A fellow that lives ina windmill hasnot a more whimsical dwelling thantheheartof a manthat islodged inawoman.

-Congreve,William

windmill quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"windmill." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/windmill>

APA Style

windmill. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/windmill

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment