windchill

noun

wind·​chill ˈwin(d)-ˌchil How to pronounce windchill (audio)
: 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
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.
On Thursday into Friday, brisk winds replaced the rain, bringing windchills in the 20s overnight as temperatures will be in the mid to upper 40s. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024 The alternative would have been to pitch camp, but with one plane down, a storm approaching and windchills already taking the temperature well below zero on this late September day, that seemed like a foolish idea. Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2024 Most of the state is under a windchill warning into Tuesday. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 Unlike his last visit when windchill factors dropped below zero, Wednesday’s visit came under sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s. John Wisely, Detroit Free Press, 2 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for windchill 

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of windchill was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near windchill

Cite this Entry

“Windchill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windchill. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

windchill

noun
wind·​chill -ˌchil How to pronounce windchill (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce windchill (audio)
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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