windmill

Everyday

1. A windmill is a building with large sails that the wind turns to grind grain or pump water. tree →
2. A windmill is also a modern tall tower with blades that makes electricity (more exactly a wind turbine). tree →
3. A windmill is a toy on a stick with paper or plastic blades that spin in the wind (UK: a pinwheel or windmill). tree →

In the lessons

Used in science and energy lessons (renewable energy, wind power), history (flour mills, the Netherlands), and stories («Don Quixote tilting at windmills»).

Examples

• The old windmill ground wheat into flour. tree →
• The Netherlands is famous for its windmills. tree →
• Windmills on the farm pump water for the cattle. tree →
• The hills are covered with modern windmills making electricity. tree →
• We made a paper windmill in science. tree →
• The sails of the windmill turned slowly. tree →
• Wind power is a clean source of energy. tree →
• A windmill stood upon the hill, proud to look at, and it was proud too. tree →

Note

Compound: wind + mill. Strictly, machines that make electricity are «wind turbines», but people often call them windmills. In America a toy windmill is a «pinwheel».