SINCE 1828
downforce
noun
down·force
| \ -ˌfȯrs
\
\
Definition of downforce
: a downward aerodynamic force generated especially by an airfoil (such as a spoiler on a race car)
Examples of downforce in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The aero tweaks increase the amount of downforce generated to keep the car securely on the road at extremely high speeds, Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com or 313-222-6731. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Ford reveals 2019 Shelby GT350 Mustang with aero and handling upgrades," 11 June 2018 Following Sunday’s Iowa Corn 300, which saw 955 on-track passes versus 378 last year, Frye and company were feeling optimistic about the progress being made in Year 1 of the new, low downforce, universal aero kits. — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "IndyCar racing with its new aero kits is 'awesome,' or perhaps 'bland'," 9 July 2018 At this height the Senna’s double diffuser is fully entrained (higher downforce and less drag) due to a phenomenon pilots know as ground effects. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "2019 McLaren Senna: A Pet Racecar for Billionaires," 31 May 2018 The body has even more advanced aerodynamics, including new diffusers at the front and rear that increase downforce by 20 percent over the standard car. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Ferrari and Porsche announce new cars for the wealthy track addict," 21 Feb. 2018 Active front air ducts and a rear spoiler create up to 1,763.7 pounds of downforce at 155 mph, gluing the car to tarmac while cornering. — Basem Wasef, WIRED, "McLaren's $958,966 Senna Hypercar Ain't Pretty, but It Can Whip a Track," 30 June 2018 The aero tweaks increase the amount of downforce generated to keep the car securely on the road at extremely high speeds. — Mark Phelan, USA TODAY, "Ford's hottest version of Mustang even more blazing with 2019 upgrades," 14 June 2018 The conditions created a slick, 2 ½-mile track, and new cars with less downforce proved to be a handful for even the most experienced of drivers. — Jenna Fryer, Houston Chronicle, "Will Power wins Indy 500, No. 17 for car owner Roger Penske," 27 May 2018 Because the air density at the top of the mountain is about 35% lower than at sea level, the wings have to be about a third bigger to make the same downforce. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "Volkswagen’s All-Electric Effort to Climb Out of Its P.R. Hole," 4 July 2018These 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on downforce
What made you want to look up downforce? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
What did you just call me?! A Quiz
-
- If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share downforce
Resources for downforce