Definition of "wind-up" in Anglais

noun

1. The end or conclusion of something.

   • Everyone is invited to our end-of-term wind-up party.

2. The punch line of a joke or comedy routine.

3. (British) A humorous attempt to fool somebody; a practical joke in which the victim is encouraged to believe something untrue.

   • "Is this a wind-up, or what?" "No, no, it's true. He can really do it."

4. (baseball) The phase of making a pitch where the pitcher moves his or her arm backwards before throwing the ball.

   • He's into his wind-up. Here comes the pitch. Strike on the inside corner!

5. (television) A circular hand gesture, supposed to represent the winding on of film, used to signal to a performer to finish quickly.

adjective

1. (of a machine) Needing to be wound up in order to function.

   • Maybe you could get a wind-up toy to distract him.