trade wind

[wind] /wɪnd/
noun
1.
Also, trade winds. Also called trades. any of the nearly constant easterly winds that dominate most of the tropics and subtropics throughout the world, blowing mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere, and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.
2.
any wind that blows in one regular course, or continually in the same direction.
Origin
1625-35
Examples from the web for trade wind
  • The winter trade wind blows fairly steadily during these months, bringing generally fine tropical weather.
  • At the same time, there are rain bands in the trade wind flow moving toward the island-induced land breeze convergence zone.
  • trade wind waves can be high, but have less energy than north and south swells.
British Dictionary definitions for trade wind

trade wind

/wɪnd/
noun
1.
a wind blowing obliquely towards the equator either from the northeast in the N hemisphere or the southeast in the S hemisphere, approximately between latitudes 30° N and S, forming part of the planetary wind system
Word Origin
C17: from to blow trade to blow steadily in one direction, from trade in the obsolete sense: a track
Encyclopedia Article for trade wind

persistent wind that blows westward and toward the Equator from the subtropical high-pressure belts toward the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). It is stronger and more consistent over the oceans than over land and often produces partly cloudy sky conditions, characterized by shallow cumulus clouds, or clear skies that make trade-wind islands popular tourist resorts. Its average speed is about 5 to 6 metres per second (11 to 13 miles per hour) but can increase to speeds of 13 metres per second (30 miles per hour) or more. The trade winds were named by the crews of sailing ships that depended on the winds during westward ocean crossings.

Learn more about trade wind with a free trial on Britannica.com