trade wind

noun

: a wind blowing almost constantly in one direction
especially : a wind blowing almost continually toward the equator from the northeast in the belt between the northern horse latitudes and the doldrums and from the southeast in the belt between the southern horse latitudes and the doldrums
—usually plural

Examples of trade wind in a Sentence

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.
El Niño occurs naturally every few years, when the Pacific trade winds that typically blow westward — from the Americas to Southeast Asia — either slow down or reverse course. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 Normally, trade winds push warm water toward the western tropical Pacific. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 In contrast, during La Niña events, stronger trade winds along the Equator push cold water that usually sits along the coast of South America toward the central Pacific. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 As an El Niño develops, the typical east-to-west trade winds along the equator weaken or even reverse. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trade wind

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trade wind was in 1615

Rhymes for trade wind

See All Rhymes for trade wind

Browse Nearby Words

trade waste
trade wind
trading area
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Cite this Entry

“Trade wind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trade%20wind. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

trade wind

noun
: a wind blowing almost constantly toward the equator from an easterly direction

More from Merriam-Webster on trade wind

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trade wind

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