Headwind

A headwind is a wind blowing directly against the direction of travel. It's a meteorological phenomenon that significantly increases resistance and reduces speed for vehicles, aircraft, and even cyclists. The stronger the headwind, the more energy and effort is required to overcome it. Figuratively, a headwind represents any obstacle or challenge that slows progress, hinders success, or makes a task more difficult. This can apply to economic downturns, bureaucratic hurdles, or personal setbacks. The concept emphasizes the struggle against an opposing force, creating a feeling of resistance.

Headwind meaning with examples

• The small sailboat battled a ferocious headwind all afternoon, making minimal progress towards the harbor. The sailors, exhausted, had to frequently adjust the sails and work with the wind to make any distance and use the headwind in their favor.
• Despite the powerful engine, the airplane struggled to maintain altitude due to the constant headwind during its flight. The flight time was lengthened because of the wind and caused a great sense of delay, which was hard to endure.
• The company faced a serious economic headwind with rising interest rates and a global recession. The executives spent hours on end trying to prepare for the struggle and how the company might make it through.
• As a marathon runner, I'm used to physical headwinds, but today's mental headwind, stemming from doubt and fatigue, was even harder to overcome. Every step felt like an insurmountable distance.