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Definition 2024


wind-up

wind-up

See also: windup and wind up

English

Alternative forms

Noun

wind-up (plural wind-ups)

  1. The end or conclusion of something.
    Everyone is invited to our end-of-term wind-up party.
  2. A punch line of a joke or comedy routine.
  3. (Britain) A humorous attempt to fool somebody, a practical joke in which the victim is encouraged to believe something untrue.
    • 1999, Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (film):
      "Is this a wind-up, or what?" "No, no, it's true. He can really do it."
  4. (baseball) The phase of a making a pitch where the pitcher moves his or her arm backwards before throwing the ball.
    • 1975: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (movie)
      He's into his wind-up. Here comes the pitch. Strike on the inside corner!

Derived terms

Related terms

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:joke

Adjective

wind-up (not comparable)

  1. (of a machine) Needing to be wound up in order to function.
    • 1997, Daria (TV, episode 1.07):
      Maybe you could get a wind-up toy to distract him.

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