windrow

1 of 2

noun

wind·​row ˈwin(d)-ˌrō 

plural windrows

1

a

: a row of hay raked up to dry before being baled or stored

This allows the rake to merge hay into one windrow or, individually turn or make two windrows as conditions require.

—Farming

b

: a similar row of cut vegetation (such as grain) for drying

The combine moves down the windrows, separating the grain from the stalks.

—Steve Taylor

2

: a row heaped up by or as if by the wind

Windrows—long formations of floating objects shaped by winds and currents—are well known to sailors and oceanographers and are common in both oceans and lakes.

—Ron Larson

3

a

: a long low ridge of material (such as snow or road-making material) scraped to the side of a road

There is a proven and commercially available solution to the problem of snow windrows, or snow ridges, blocking driveways.

—Bob Gaunt

b

: bank, ridge, heap

windrow

2 of 2

verb

windrowed; windrowing; windrows

transitive verb

: to form (something, such as hay) into a windrow

Examples of windrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The researchers used the imagery to calculate the density of the litter in windrow areas, identifying hot spots near Algeria, Libya, southwest Italy and the northern Adriatic Sea. —Erin Blakemore, Washington Post, 14 July 2024

When a windrow is sufficiently broken down, it’s sifted for debris, including larger pieces of organic material and contaminants like plastic. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024

Mounds of dirt and food scraps, known as windrows, sometimes taller than the people working them, need to be turned over by shovel every seven days for months, even in bad weather. —John Leland, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2023

There’s a lot to be said for not tuning in to the past or future for stretches of time, for dwelling only in the flank, the windrow, or the footfall – whatever the moment presents. —Sue Wonder, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2021

A giant machine called a windrow turner will churn the rows periodically, allowing proper composting to take place. —Sven Berg, idahostatesman, 2 June 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1729, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

windrow

noun

wind·​row

ˈwin-ˌ(d)rō

1

: hay raked up into a row to dry

2

: a row of something (as sand or dry leaves) heaped up by or as if by the wind