lee

Sheltered from wind

Lee is the sheltered side of something—the side away from the wind.

Sailors seek the lee of an island for protection from storms.

We anchored in the lee of the cliff.

As an adjective, lee describes this sheltered position: the lee shore, the lee side.

The opposite is windward. (Capitalized Lee is a given name and surname.)

shelter

windbreak

Barrier against gusts

downwindIn airflow's direction
calmFree from agitation
protectedKept from harm

shielded · anchorage · harbor · cove · haven · refuge · respite · cover · buffer · breakwater

nautical

windward

Facing the wind

helmVessel's steering mechanism
tackSharp-headed fastener
gybeDownwind sailing turn

bearing · starboard · port · beam · rudder · heading · drift · course · sailing · seamanship

Categories

long E soundbee, fee, see, tee, free
nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed
nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
navigationcompass, compass rose, signs, charts, navbar
mandarinsmandarin, tangerine, clementine, satsuma, pixie
place wordstown, ville, burg, borough, shire

Opposites

wind exposure (nautical/meteorological)

Facing the wind

weather · upwind · exposed · unprotected · unsheltered

glacial/geological erosion

Toward a river's origin

Phrases

Bruce Lee
lee sideArea blocked from wind
Brandon Lee
Jamie Lee Curtis
Stan LeeProlific superhero comics creator
Lee Harvey Oswald

Family

leeway, leeward, lees, alee

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G