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Lee Side for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: li_saɪd

What does Lee Side really mean?

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Lee Side is a term that you might come across when you learn about sailing or even weather patterns, and it refers to a specific location or side on a boat or any other object that is facing away from the wind. Imagine for a moment that you're standing outside on a breezy day, and the wind is blowing towards you. Now, if you were to turn around and face the other way, the side of your body that is no longer being directly hit by the wind is called the lee side. It's the sheltered side, the side that's shielded from the full force of the wind.

When it comes to sailing, knowing which side is the lee side is very important because it can greatly impact how the boat moves through the water. You see, when a boat is on its lee side, it's sheltered from the wind, and this can make sailing a bit easier. The wind pushes against the sails on the windward side, the side that faces the wind, and this force propels the boat forward. However, the lee side doesn't receive as much wind, which means it's not being pushed as strongly. This can make the boat feel more stable and less likely to be affected by the wind's strong gusts. It's like being on the side of a hill where the wind has a harder time reaching you.

Not only is the lee side more sheltered, but it can also provide a calm and peaceful place to be. Just as you might find refuge from the wind behind a tall building or a row of trees, a boat on the lee side of an island or a land mass can find some respite from the strong winds and choppy waters. It's like finding a cozy nook where you can take a break and enjoy a calmer environment while the wind continues to gust and blow on the other side.

In a different context, especially in meteorology, the term "lee side" can refer to the side of a mountain or a geographic feature that is facing away from the direction the wind is coming from. When the wind encounters the mountain, it has no other choice but to rise, and as it rises, it cools down and forms clouds. This means that the side of the mountain that is sheltered from the wind, the lee side, tends to be drier and receives less precipitation compared to the other side, which is known as the windward side. It's like being on a seesaw with one side going up, and as it goes up, it takes away some of the clouds and rain, leaving the other side less wet and more sheltered.

So, basically, the lee side refers to a side or location that is protected from the wind, whether it's on a boat, an island, or even a mountain. It's the side that faces away from the wind and provides a sense of shelter and calmness.

Revised and Fact checked by Sophia Martinez on 2023-10-29 00:58:00

Lee Side In a sentece

Learn how to use Lee Side inside a sentece

  • When a person stands behind a big tree to avoid getting wet from the rain, they are on the lee side of the tree.
  • If you are camping and want to start a fire, you should set up your fireplace on the lee side of the tent so that the wind doesn't blow out the flames.
  • In a sailboat race, the sailors strategically position their boats on the lee side of other boats to take advantage of reduced wind and gain speed.
  • During a sandstorm, people may seek shelter on the lee side of a building to protect themselves from the blowing sand.
  • When a kite flyer wants their kite to stay in the air, they need to position themselves on the lee side of a hill or building to create an updraft that keeps the kite aloft.

Lee Side Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Lee Side Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.