Leeward vs. Leeway — What's the Difference?

On or towards the side sheltered from the wind; downwind

Leeway is the amount of drift motion to leeward of an object floating in the water caused by the component of the wind vector that is perpendicular to the object’s forward motion. The National Search and Rescue Supplement to the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual defines leeway as "the movement of a search object through water caused by winds blowing against exposed surfaces".

On or towards the side sheltered from the wind; downwind

The drift of a ship or aircraft to leeward of the course being steered.

The side sheltered or away from the wind

A margin of freedom or variation, as of activity, time, or expenditure; latitude.

On or toward the side to which the wind is blowing.

The drift of a ship or aeroplane in a leeward direction.

The lee side or quarter.

A varying degree or amount of freedom or flexibility.

On the side sheltered from the wind; in that direction.

(British) An adverse discrepancy or variation in a cumulative process, usually in the phrase make up leeway.

Away from the direction from which the wind is blowing; downwind.

The lateral movement of a ship to the leeward of her course; drift.

Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the part or side toward which the wind blows; - opposed to windward; as, a leeward berth; a leeward ship.

(of a ship or plane) sideways drift

The direction in which the wind is blowing

A permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits

The side of something that is sheltered from the wind

On the side away from the wind;

Toward the wind;