windmills
windmills — noun
- windmillssingular
- windmillsesplural
1. a tall building with large sails or blades that turn when the wind blows, using
a tall building with large sails or blades that turn when the wind blows, using the energy to crush grain into flour or to raise water from the ground
The old windmill on the hill has been turning its sails for over two hundred years.
Farmers in this region used windmills to grind their wheat into flour every season.
collocation: grind + grain / wheat / flour
Femi watched the blades of the windmill turn slowly in the morning breeze.
The wooden windmill was used to crush corn long before anyone had electricity.
After the storm, Sofia saw the broken sails of the windmill lying in the muddy field.
- wind turbine
modern machine for making electricity, not a traditional structure for grinding
- wind pump
a windmill used specifically for pumping water
文法句型
the + windmill
windmill + of + place
用法筆記
This sense refers to the traditional building, not modern electricity-generating turbines. The sails or blades are the main moving parts.
常見錯誤
2. a modern tall machine with large blades that spin in the wind to produce electri
a modern tall machine with large blades that spin in the wind to produce electrical power for homes and businesses
A new windmill was built on the coast to supply power to the nearby town.
passive: was built + purpose infinitive
The wind farm behind Jack's village has twenty windmills that generate enough electricity for everyone.
Lakshmi works at a company that installs windmills on farmland across the Midwestern United States.
Many countries are building more windmills to reduce their use of coal and oil for energy.
Each windmill in the valley can produce enough power for about three hundred houses every year.
- wind turbine
the more technically precise term for electricity generation
- wind generator
less common synonym, often used for small-scale devices
文法句型
windmill + generates/produces + electricity
wind + mill + farm
用法筆記
Many English speakers use 'wind turbine' rather than 'windmill' for electricity generation. 'Windmill' in this sense is common in general media but less precise in technical contexts.
常見錯誤
3. a small children's toy on a stick, with colourful plastic or paper pieces at the
a small children's toy on a stick, with colourful plastic or paper pieces at the tip that go round and round when the wind blows or you blow on them
Emma held her red windmill up to the breeze and watched the coloured blades spin around.
At the school fair each child painted a paper windmill and took it home to play with.
The little boy ran across the park with his windmill spinning fast above his head.
Mira bought a bright pink windmill from the street vendor for her younger sister.
- pinwheel
the common American English word for this toy
文法句型
a + windmill
windmill + spins/turns
用法筆記
This toy is also called a 'pinwheel' in American English. The word 'windmill' for the toy is more common in British English.
windmills — verb
- windmillspresent simple I / you / we / they
- windmillses3rd person singular
- windmillsing-ing form
- windmillsedpast simple
1. to swing your arms through large circular motions, often to stay steady when you
to swing your arms through large circular motions, often to stay steady when you are about to fall or to get the attention of someone far away
Jack slipped on the ice and windmilled his arms wildly before falling onto the snow.
Theo windmilled his arms on the cliff to get the attention of the boat below.
The cyclist lost balance and his arms began to windmill as he tried not to fall.
Hiro windmilled his arms after losing control of his skateboard on the steep hill.
Eleni windmilled her way along the narrow wall, trying to keep both feet on the stone.
文法句型
windmill + possessive + arms
windmill + way + preposition
arms + windmill
用法筆記
This verb is most common in descriptions of accidents, falls, or moments of losing balance. It is less commonly used in controlled or intentional actions.