headwind
Breeze against you
A headwind is a wind blowing directly against the direction of travel, slowing progress.
Pilots and cyclists factor headwinds into their calculations: We lost twenty minutes flying into a headwind.
Figuratively, headwind describes any force working against success or momentum: The company faced regulatory headwinds.
The opposite is tailwind.
Something blocking the way
- challengeTest of ability
- setbackReverse in progress
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
difficulty · adversity · impediment · hindrance · struggle · hurdle · roadblock · friction
Aircraft's atmospheric velocity
- groundspeedRate across terrain
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- jetstreamHigh-altitude wind band
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
takeoff · landing · flightpath · drag · thrust · aerodynamics · pilot · aircraft
obstacle
Something blocking the way
resistance · difficulty · adversity · impediment · hindrance · struggle · hurdle · roadblock · friction · opposition
airspeed
Aircraft's atmospheric velocity
- groundspeedRate across terrain
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- jetstreamHigh-altitude wind band
altitude · takeoff · landing · flightpath · drag · thrust · aerodynamics · pilot · aircraft · cockpit
tacking
Angled sailing maneuver
yacht · regatta · mainsail · spinnaker · keel · helm · nautical · close-hauled · jibing · sloop
peloton
Main cycling group
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- pacelineDrafting cyclist formation
- slipstreamAerodynamic wake zone
cadence · time trial · breakaway · endurance · fatigue · effort · descent · climb · road race · speed
headwindcalm
Free from agitation
still air · dead calm · still · motionless · stillness
headwindtailwind
Breeze moving your direction
boost · advantage · favorable conditions · helping hand · momentum