WIND-mil
/ˈwɪnˌdmɪl/
windmill is pronounced WIND-mil (/ˈwɪnˌdmɪl/). A windmill is a tall, rotating structure with blades that convert wind energy into mechanical power or electricity. The term combines wind and mill, broadly referring to any device using rotating blades for energy generation, traditionally powered by wind. It evokes rural or industrial landscapes and modern renewable energy installations alike.
A windmill is a tall, rotating structure with blades that convert wind energy into mechanical power or electricity. The term combines wind and mill, broadly referring to any device using rotating blades for energy generation, traditionally powered by wind. It evokes rural or industrial landscapes and modern renewable energy installations alike.
"The old windmill creaked as the blades turned in the gusty breeze."
"Windmills in the countryside supply small-scale electricity to nearby farms."
"Researchers are studying windmill blade shapes to improve efficiency."
Pronounce as WIND-mil with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈwɪndˌmɪl/. Start with a short, closed front vowel in the first syllable, then a light, unstressed second syllable. It’s two syllables, with a clear /d/ in the middle and a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Listen for the crisp /n/ followed by /d/ and a final /l/.
Common errors include reducing the first syllable to a weak schwa or misplacing the /d/ and /l/ sounds, making it WIND-mil or WIND-mill with a heavy D. Another pitfall is a trailing /əl/ that becomes a darker, slower /əl/ or a blurred second syllable. To correct: keep /wɪnd/ crisp with the /d/ fully released, then clearly release /mɪl/. Practice segmenting into WIND + MIL.
In all three accents, the first syllable has the /ɪ/ vowel. US and UK share rhotics in most contexts, but “windmill” is non-rhotic in some UK dialects in casual speech, with a vowel quality shift. Australian speakers often show slight vowel broadening in /ɪ/ and a more fronted /ɪ/ in stressed syllables. Overall, /ˈwɪndˌmɪl/ remains stable, with minor vowel length and quality differences.
Two main challenges: the cluster /ndm/ in the middle creates a rapid transition between alveolar /n/ and /d/ before /m/, which can flatten if you don’t separate the nasal and stop; and the final /mɪl/ can bleed into /m/ and /l/, creating a smoother, less distinct end. Focusing on a clean /d/ release and crisp /l/ helps. IPA cues: /ˈwɪndˌmɪl/ with /nd/ and /ml/ transitions.
Windmill uses a straightforward two-syllable pattern with stress on the first syllable. The tricky part is maintaining crisp /nd/ without a vowel intrusion between /n/ and /d/. Also ensure the final /l/ is light, not dark, to avoid a trailing vocalic vowel. IPA guidance remains /ˈwɪndˌmɪl/ and mouth positions should emphasize the alveolar closure for /n/ and the strong, clean /d/ release.
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The word windmill comes from the combination of wind, which traces back to Old English wind, and mill, from Old English mylen, meaning a device for grinding grain. The earliest wind-powered machines emerged in Persia and China before spreading to Europe in the medieval period. In English, windmill attested by the 12th–13th centuries as a literal mill driven by the wind. The term later specialized: in Great Britain, “windmill” referred to power mills with sails, while “windpump” or “wind turbine” framed later technology. Over centuries, designs evolved: post mills, tower mills, and smock mills in Europe, culminating in modern horizontal-axis wind turbines. The semantic shift reflects the industrial revolution and the move from grain milling to electricity generation. The word’s first known uses align with rural agrarian life and mechanical innovation, embedding wind as a renewable power source in language and culture.
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Help others use "windmill" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "windmill" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "windmill" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "windmill"
-dle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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