What does "wind down" mean (sense 1)?

To relax and release tension gradually after a period of stress or activity. Example: "After a long week at work, she liked to wind down with a hot bath and a good book."

What does "wind down" mean (sense 2)?

For an event, activity, or situation to gradually come to an end. Example: "The party started winding down around midnight, and most guests had left by one."

What does "wind down" mean (sense 3)?

To gradually reduce or close down the operations of a business or organisation. Example: "The company decided to wind down its overseas operations due to rising costs."

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wind down

B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive

To gradually relax, lose energy or activity, and move toward rest or a conclusion.

In plain English

To slowly stop or relax, like a toy that runs out of energy.

What does "wind down" mean?

4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 idiomatic informal

very common

To relax and release tension gradually after a period of stress or activity.

"After a long week at work, she liked to wind down with a hot bath and a good book."

inseparable

2 B1 idiomatic neutral

very common

For an event, activity, or situation to gradually come to an end.

"The party started winding down around midnight, and most guests had left by one."

inseparable

3 B2 neutral

common

To gradually reduce or close down the operations of a business or organisation.

"The company decided to wind down its overseas operations due to rising costs."

separable

4 A2 neutral

common

To lower a car window by turning a handle (older vehicles) or pressing a button.

"He wound down the window to ask for directions."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

Like a spring-powered mechanism that uncoils and slows — the mechanical image has become a common metaphor.

Actually means

To slowly stop or relax, like a toy that runs out of energy.

Usage tip

Very common in everyday speech. Can be used for people (relaxing after stress), events (a party winding down), or businesses (closing gradually). The image is of a wound-up spring losing tension.

Words that pair with "wind down"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

evening party career business operations campaign

How to conjugate "wind down"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

wind down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

winds down

he/she/it

Past simple

winded down

yesterday

Past participle

winded down

have + pp

-ing form

winding down

continuous

Hear "wind down" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "wind down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "wind" All phrasal verbs with "down" More B1-level phrasal verbs