windmill

5 definitions • 2 examples

a building or structure with large blades on the outside that, when turned by the force of the wind, provide the power for getting water out of the ground or crushing grain

a child's toy that consists of a stick with brightly coloured pieces of plastic at one end that turn around when you blow them or hold the toy in the wind

If you windmill one or both of your arms, or they windmill, you move them or they move separately in a circular movement:

She had to windmill her arms to keep her balance.

His arms were windmilling and his legs thrashing as he sped along the pool.

a building or structure with large blades on the outside that, when turned by the force of the wind, provide electrical or mechanical power