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Definition of downforce
: a downward aerodynamic force generated especially by an airfoil (such as a spoiler on a race car)
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Recent Examples of downforce from the Web
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Framing all those air inlets are unique aero bits like twin front dive planes, an extra-long splitter, and a proper pitched aileron at the rear, all of which conspire to generate 300 pounds (136kg) of downforce at 150mph (241km/h).
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VW’s state of the art wind tunnel also can in handy, as Chiron engineers logged 300 hours of testing to develop an active aerodynamics system that not only increases high-speed downforce but also improves engine and brake cooling by as much as 50%.
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With 10 laps to go, Tony Kanaan tangled with Alexander Rossi in the previous turn, the Carousel, causing damage to the left front wing, taking away much of the downforce that would have helped Kanaan make the corner.
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A winglet increases a car’s downforce, which makes the car safer.
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His team removed one winglet, then the other, then reduced the car’s downforce in other ways.
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For example, a big rear wing pops up at the rear when the speed hits 70 mph for increased downforce at the rear of the car.
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A lightweight all-carbon-fiber body gives swift acceleration, and an enormous rear wing provides downforce when Tajima crests triple-digit speeds.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'downforce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of downforce
1973
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