wind power
B2Neutral to formal. Common in technical, environmental, business, and policy contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Electrical energy generated by using wind turbines to harness the kinetic energy of the wind.
The use of wind as a renewable, sustainable source of mechanical or electrical power; the technology and industry associated with this energy source.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun phrase, though occasionally pluralised (e.g., 'wind powers of the region'). Often used attributively as a compound modifier ('wind-power generation', 'wind-power capacity'). It represents both the physical force and the industry/sector.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The term is standard and identical in both varieties. Spelling of related terms may follow regional norms (e.g., 'centre' vs. 'center' in 'wind power centre/center').
Connotations
Equally positive connotations of sustainability and clean energy in both regions. In some local contexts, may also connote visual/auditory pollution or community opposition.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to the UK's significant offshore wind sector and prominent policy discussions, but the term is highly common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Country/Company] + generate/use + wind power.Wind power + account for + [percentage] + of + [energy mix].Invest/develop/expand + in + wind power.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Harness the power of the wind”
- “Ride the wind (metaphorical, related to industry growth)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company's portfolio now includes a significant investment in wind power."
Academic
"The study quantified the capacity factor of wind power in temperate coastal regions."
Everyday
"Our town gets a lot of its electricity from wind power now."
Technical
"The grid integration of variable wind power requires advanced frequency response services."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This project aims to power the entire estate using wind.
- The new turbines will power over 10,000 homes.
American English
- The farm is powered entirely by wind.
- We plan to power the data center with wind and solar.
adverb
British English
- The system is designed to operate wind-powered.
- The village functions almost entirely wind-powered.
American English
- The facility runs wind-powered for most of the year.
- They live completely wind-powered.
adjective
British English
- The wind-power sector is expanding rapidly.
- They attended a wind-power conference.
American English
- The state has great wind-power potential.
- Wind-power projects create local jobs.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Wind power is good for our planet.
- We saw big wind turbines. They make wind power.
- Many countries are now using wind power to make electricity.
- Wind power is a clean and renewable energy source.
- The government has set ambitious targets for increasing wind power capacity by 2030.
- While wind power is sustainable, its intermittency can pose challenges for the national grid.
- Critics argue that the visual impact and noise pollution from wind farms must be weighed against the undeniable benefits of wind power in decarbonising the economy.
- The economic viability of offshore wind power has improved dramatically due to technological advancements and economies of scale.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **wind**mill using the **power** of the air to generate lights in your house.
Conceptual Metaphor
WIND IS A RESOURCE (to be mined/harvested). POWER IS A COMMODITY (to be generated/sold).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as "силовая мощность ветра" (redundant). The correct equivalent is "энергия ветра" or "ветроэнергетика".
- Avoid confusing "wind power" (energy) with "wind force" (сила ветра, a meteorological concept).
Common Mistakes
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'The turbine wind powers the town' – incorrect). Instead: 'The turbine provides wind power to the town.'
- Misspelling as 'win power'.
- Using 'wind' with the /waɪnd/ pronunciation (verb meaning to twist).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key technical challenge associated with wind power?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In most contexts, yes. 'Wind power' often refers more specifically to the electricity generated, while 'wind energy' can refer to the raw kinetic energy of the wind itself, but they are frequently used interchangeably.
No, 'wind power' is a noun phrase. The related verb phrase is 'to power by wind' or 'to generate power from wind'.
Its main advantage is being a renewable, clean source of energy that produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation, helping to mitigate climate change.
Common criticisms include its intermittent nature (the wind doesn't always blow), visual and noise impact on landscapes, potential effects on wildlife (especially birds and bats), and the initial high capital costs.