tail wind

Meaning

A wind blowing from behind a vehicle, especially an aircraft or boat, which increases its speed and reduces travel time. In a broader sense, it can also refer to a force or influence that helps progress. It is commonly used in aviation, sailing, and cycling contexts.

Examples

• Thanks to a strong tail wind, our flight from New York arrived in London thirty minutes ahead of schedule.

  Thanks to a strong tail wind, our flight from New York arrived in London thirty minutes ahead of schedule.

• Pilots always welcome a tail wind because it significantly reduces fuel consumption during long-haul flights.

  Pilots always welcome a tail wind because it significantly reduces fuel consumption during long-haul flights.

• We had a steady tail wind for the first half of our cycling trip, making the ride feel effortless.

  We had a steady tail wind for the first half of our cycling trip, making the ride feel effortless.

• The airline captain announced that a favorable tail wind would help us make up for the delay on the tarmac.

  The airline captain announced that a favorable tail wind would help us make up for the delay on the tarmac.

• Sailing with a tail wind requires careful sail adjustment to maintain stability while maximizing speed.

  Sailing with a tail wind requires careful sail adjustment to maintain stability while maximizing speed.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The plane flew faster because of a back wind.

  ✓ The plane flew faster because of a tail wind.

  While 'back wind' makes literal sense, the correct aviation and meteorological term is always 'tail wind' (or 'tailwind').

• ✗ We arrived early thanks to the tail wind blowing against us.

  ✓ We arrived early thanks to the tail wind blowing behind us.

  A tail wind blows in the same direction you are traveling, pushing you forward. A wind blowing against you is a head wind.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The pilot mentioned that a strong ___ would cut our flight time by forty minutes.

  💡 A wind blowing from behind the aircraft.

  Show answer

  tail wind

• Sailing is much easier when you have a cooperative ___ pushing your boat forward.

  💡 Opposite of a head wind.

  Show answer

  tail wind