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.
When her body was discovered, temperatures in Kansas City were hovering around 12 degrees, with a 1 degree windchill. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025 As the passengers were being evacuated, the temperature was 18 degrees, with a windchill temperature of minus 2. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2025 Farther south at Midway Airport temperatures are 16 degrees with a windchill of negative 9, weather officials said. Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025 Walden is forecast to see overnight lows near minus 13 degrees and windchill temperatures near 36 degrees below zero. Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Windchill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windchill. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!