-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
windchill
noun
wind·chill
ˈwin(d)-ˌchil
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as a given combination of temperature and wind speed
called also chill factor, windchill factor, windchill index
Examples of windchill in a Sentence
It's cold outside, and it feels even colder because of the windchill.
Expect windchills in the 20s tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Temperatures will drop between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees by Thursday, the NWS said, with an extreme cold watch in effect and a potential windchill of minus 30 degrees.
—
Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2025
Current conditions at O’Hare International Airport are overcast at 24 degrees with a windchill of negative 4.
—
Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Obama’s first inauguration was outdoors, with a temperature of 28 degrees but windchills were in the teens.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
While relatively mild temperatures are in the forecast during the day on Wednesday, windchills in the negative single digits are expected Wednesday night through Thursday morning across the region.
—
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for windchill 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1939, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near windchill
Cite this Entry
“Windchill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windchill. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
windchill
noun
wind·chill
-ˌchil
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human flesh as a given combination of temperature and wind speed
called also windchill factor, windchill index
Medical Definition
windchill
noun
wind·chill
ˈwin(d)-ˌchil
: a still-air temperature that would have the same cooling effect on exposed human skin as a given combination of temperature and wind speed
called also chill factor, windchill factor, windchill index
More from Merriam-Webster on windchill
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about windchill
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share