wind shear
noun
: a radical shift in wind speed and direction that occurs over a very short distance
Examples of wind shear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And wind shear—the sudden change in wind strength or direction, over a short distance—at airplane cruising altitudes has increased by 15 percent since 1979, a trend expected to further increase by between 17 percent and 29 percent by the end of the century.
—
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2024
La Niña conditions can help spark Atlantic hurricane activity by lessening wind shear in the tropics, according to NOAA.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for wind shear 
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2024
La Niña conditions can help spark Atlantic hurricane activity by lessening wind shear in the tropics, according to NOAA.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for wind shear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wind shear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near wind shear
Cite this Entry
“Wind shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20shear. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share