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TAKE THE QUIZwind tunnel
noun
: a tunnellike passage through which air is blown at a known velocity to investigate air flow around an object (such as an airplane part or model) placed in the passage
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
The design is expected to begin wind tunnel tests this April, and in 2024, an upcoming radar cross-section testing facility is expected to be used to measure and optimize the aircraft’s radar signature.
—
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 30 Mar. 2023
First, Choi and Park confirmed that the angles that achieved the greatest lift in the wind tunnel were the same steep angles at which flying fish emerge from the water in the wild.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2010
In another experiment, van Breugel put two glass objects into the wind tunnel.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2015
Every minute in the wind tunnel is equivalent to one skydive from 13,000 feet.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2023
In Phase 1, which is already completed, Aurora created an aircraft that was able to use active flow control to demonstrate control in a wind tunnel test.
—Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2023
Like the 2015 study, the team at Soochow conducted simulated wind tunnel tests to see how the eye’s moisture levels fared when a breeze was blowing.
—Jennifer Walter, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2019
When flipped upside down while in the wind tunnel, springtails with water droplets on their collophores were able to flip themselves around in less than 20 milliseconds, faster than any animal previously recorded.
—Oliver Whang, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2022
Therefore, the major concern is that this location, something of a wind tunnel, could amplify wind speeds that exceed the structural tolerance of our habitat.
—Kate Greene, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2013
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Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 30 Mar. 2023
First, Choi and Park confirmed that the angles that achieved the greatest lift in the wind tunnel were the same steep angles at which flying fish emerge from the water in the wild.
—Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2010
In another experiment, van Breugel put two glass objects into the wind tunnel.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 21 Aug. 2015
Every minute in the wind tunnel is equivalent to one skydive from 13,000 feet.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2023
In Phase 1, which is already completed, Aurora created an aircraft that was able to use active flow control to demonstrate control in a wind tunnel test.
—Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2023
Like the 2015 study, the team at Soochow conducted simulated wind tunnel tests to see how the eye’s moisture levels fared when a breeze was blowing.
—Jennifer Walter, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2019
When flipped upside down while in the wind tunnel, springtails with water droplets on their collophores were able to flip themselves around in less than 20 milliseconds, faster than any animal previously recorded.
—Oliver Whang, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2022
Therefore, the major concern is that this location, something of a wind tunnel, could amplify wind speeds that exceed the structural tolerance of our habitat.
—Kate Greene, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2013
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wind tunnel.' 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
1911, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near wind tunnel
Cite this Entry
“Wind tunnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20tunnel. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.
Kids Definition
wind tunnel
noun
: a passage like a tunnel through which air is blown at a known speed to investigate air flow around an object (as an airplane part or model) placed in the passage
More from Merriam-Webster on wind tunnel
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wind tunnel
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