windlass wind luhs n lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds Usage(s) A workman sprang to a windlass operating one of the furnace doors. A windlass in the mooring mast hauled the cable upwards and taking out its slack drew the airship's nose into an automatically locking swivel at the very top of the tower. The windlass dial registered 356 meters. Synonym(s) winch