A Dutch tower windmill surrounded by tulips

A windmill is a type of working engine. It converts the wind's energy into rotational energy. To do this it uses vanes called sails or blades.

The energy made by windmills can be used in many ways. These include grinding grain or spices, pumping water and sawing wood. Modern wind power machines are used to create electricity. These are called wind turbines by engineers or wind mills by the average person. Before modern times, windmills were most commonly used to grind grain into flour for making bread. The windmill has been in history for many years.