What does windbound mean?
Windbound is an adjective meaning unable to proceed because of strong or adverse winds. Its best-established use is nautical: a windbound ship is one prevented from sailing or making headway, often because unfavorable winds persist. The word can also be applied metaphorically to people, journeys, or plans that are delayed or held back by difficult circumstances. Unlike “grounded,” which may describe a vessel stuck on land, windbound specifically identifies wind as the obstruction. It is similar to “weatherbound,” but broader because weatherbound can include rain, snow, fog, storms, or other conditions. Windbound has an old-fashioned, descriptive quality and is less common in everyday speech than general terms such as “delayed” or “stuck.” Even so, it remains useful in maritime writing and evocative prose because it captures a specific condition in which too much wind, rather than too little, prevents movement.
adjectiveUnable to proceed because of adverse winds, especially unable to sail or make headway. The term can also be used metaphorically for someone or something prevented from moving forward by adverse circumstances.
- Unable to proceed or sail because of adverse winds.
- Prevented from moving forward or making progress by difficult circumstances.
"With a fierce gale sweeping across the bay, the small vessel remained windbound until dawn."
"Several ships remained windbound in the harbor throughout the storm."
"After weeks of bad weather, the expedition was still windbound by circumstances beyond its control."
At sea, being windbound means there is too much wind to sail—not too little.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of windbound
Windbound is an English compound formed from “wind” and “bound,” with “bound” meaning restrained or prevented. It developed in maritime language to describe a vessel unable to proceed because of adverse winds. The metaphorically extended sense, applying the term to any impediment to progress, follows this concrete nautical meaning.
How windbound is actually used
Chiefly used in maritime contexts but also encountered in literary or metaphorical writing. In general use, it often suggests an unavoidable impediment to progress.
Easily confused with windbound
Windbound specifically refers to obstruction or delay caused by wind, whereas weatherbound can refer to any kind of adverse weather.