windage

noun wind·age \ˈwin-dij\

Definition of WINDAGE

a : the space between the projectile of a smoothbore gun and the surface of the bore

b : the difference between the diameter of the bore of a muzzle-loading rifled cannon and that of the projectile cylinder

a : the amount of sight deflection necessary to compensate for wind displacement in aiming a gun

b (1) : the influence of the wind in deflecting the course of a projectile (2) : the amount of deflection due to the wind

: the surface exposed (as by a ship) to the wind

See windage defined for kids

¹wind

First Known Use: circa 1710

Next Word in the Dictionary: wind anglePrevious Word in the Dictionary: WindAll Words Near: windage

What made you want to look up windage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears