airfoil

noun

air·​foil ˈer-ˌfȯi(-ə)l 

: a body (such as an airplane wing or propeller blade) designed to provide a desired reaction force when in motion relative to the surrounding air

Examples of airfoil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of three key findings in the report was that the solid plate girder and deck acted as an airfoil, creating drag and lift, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 Jan. 2025

For example, in airfoil casting—to produce a critical jet engine component—Howmet manages every step from mold assembly to high-speed CNC machining to coatings. —Stockstory Team, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025

The Austrian and another wingsuit jumper, Andreas Podlipnik, developed six airfoil prototypes over six years, testing them at an indoor wind tunnel in Stockholm, before deciding on one that would be optimal—at least theoretically—for the wingsuit. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024

Note the airfoil, which is a specific wing shape that helps keep a plane in the air. —Craig Merrett, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for airfoil

• benzoyl
• despoil
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• subsoil
• tinfoil
• topsoil
• trefoil
• turmoil
• aerofoil

Kids Definition

airfoil

noun

air·​foil -ˌfȯil 

: an airplane surface (as a wing or rudder) designed to produce reaction from the air through which it moves