noun
windmill
WIHN-mihl
noun
1
A structure with rotating sails that harnesses wind power to grind grain, pump water, or generate electricity.
"The old windmill once ground flour for the whole village."
"Rows of modern windmills line the ridge, generating electricity."
verb
1
To rotate or swing something in a large circular motion, like the sails of a windmill.
"He windmilled his arm before pitching the ball."
How to Use Windmill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wind-powered machine with rotating blades, or to swing a limb in a big circular motion.
Common pairings
tilt at windmills
windmill dunk
windmill your arms
Word Forms
windmilled past tense, windmills plural, windmills singular
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The old _____ once ground flour for the whole village.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of wind + mill; the phrase "tilting at windmills" (fighting imaginary enemies) comes from Don Quixote, who attacked windmills believing them to be giants.