body roll

noun

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of body roll

: the side-to-side leaning movement of a turning vehicle

Body roll occurs as a vehicle pitches from side to side in the manner of a yacht on a troubled sea. It can be unnerving. And if the swaying motion is violent enough, it can contribute to loss of vehicle control.
—Warren Brown

Recent Examples of body roll from the Web

As his musical persona, Childish Gambino, Glover sings the stylistically dissonant track as children dance around him, employing moves from body rolls to the South African Gwara Gwara.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Donald Glover, Atlanta, and the Ties That Bind," 11 May 2018
Despite having perfect 50/50 weight distribution, there is some inescapable body roll on longerturns such as cloverleaf ramps due to the taller ride height.

— robert duffer, chicagotribune.com, "2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio carves a sweet line in crowded crossover class," 28 June 2017
Modest body roll limits the fun, but road-holding is impressive with the Limited trim's wider Continental tires, which stave off eventual understeer to impressive limits.

— kelsey mays, USA TODAY, "Review: Hyundai Accent is all work and no show," 4 May 2018
And considering the height above waterline, this ship is quite sailable too, with body roll motions while cornering well contained, if not entirely conquered.

— dan neil, WSJ, "2018 BMW 640xi GT: A High-Riding, Roomy Sedan That’s Fun to Drive," 20 Apr. 2018
Its suspension keeps body roll in check easily in high-speed corners, but its steering wheel broadcasts precious little information from the front wheels.

— michael simari, Car and Driver, "2018 Audi A6," 22 Mar. 2018
Trail had been beaten to death with a claw hammer, and his body rolled up in a rug.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "A Complete Timeline of Andrew Cunanan's Murders," 24 Jan. 2018
Motoring around southern France on our preview program, the CLA impressed us with its suspension tuning, which is firm but allows for enough body roll and bump compliance to stay comfortable.

— mike austin, Popular Mechanics, "2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Test Drive," 6 Mar. 2013
Get your bodies rolling together to this five-part harmony as these dudes sing in strong falsettos in time to the meeting in your bedroom. 2.

— monique judge, The Root, "10 Friday-Night ‘Get Your Groove On’ Songs," 5 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'body roll.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of body roll

1923

in the meaning defined above

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