slipstream

1 of 2

noun

slip·​stream ˈslip-ˌstrēm How to pronounce slipstream (audio)
1
: a stream of fluid (such as air or water) driven aft by a propeller
2
: an area of reduced air pressure and forward suction immediately behind a rapidly moving vehicle

slipstream

2 of 2

verb

slipstreamed; slipstreaming; slipstreams

intransitive verb

: to drive in the slipstream of a vehicle

Example Sentences

Noun The motorcycle was riding the truck's slipstream.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
One study that seized global attention showed how the virus can linger ominously in a jogger’s slipstream. Joel Achenbach, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Mar. 2023 But mostly the slipstream and your paddle carry you on. Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2023 Caught by the slipstream, the vapor is first pushed back then sucked forward as the pressure wave pushed ahead of the truck passes by. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2017 Quick with a label, critics have called Carroll a magic realist, a slipstream novelist, a writer of supernatural thrillers and the creator of modern fairy tales. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023 Few artists can navigate the slipstream between pop and hardcore like San Francisco’s Tony Molina. Ron Hart, SPIN, 19 Dec. 2022 In its slipstream was a flight from Medina, then another from Riyadh, then one from Damman, then one from Jeddah, across the Arabian Peninsula along the Red Sea. John Branch Tasneem Alsultan, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2022 In low-drag mode, the underfloor elements and the double-decker rear wing assume a virtually horizontal slipstream position. Georg Kacher, Car and Driver, 4 Oct. 2022 Its powerful slipstream, uninterrupted for 50 years, continuing on. Jonathan Williger, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2022
Verb
But the audio-streaming giant is making changes to slipstream it into the Spotify business: Starting today, Heardle players can listen to the full song on Spotify at the end of the game. Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 July 2022 In Smith’s hands, stories slipstream in the wake of other stories; dreams are tucked up under the armpits of serious shifts in time and space. Dwight Garner, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2020 As a direct result of slipstreaming the front-door truck, the first savings would be in diesel fuel, because there would be little wind resistance for the second or potentially third trucks in this connected mini-convoy. Ed Wallace, star-telegram, 27 Oct. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slipstream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slipstream was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near slipstream

Cite this Entry

“Slipstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slipstream. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz

True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY