wind 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

Examples of wind tunnel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the MoD, the new engine has gone through 233 static test runs in a hypersonic wind tunnel as part of its Team Hypersonics (UK) program. —New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2025

The crew member recuperated and was back in the wind tunnel practicing within a month. —Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2025

There is a potential to take a lot of work that currently requires lab experiments, whether in the chemistry lab, the wind tunnel or elsewhere, and do it entirely in simulation. —John Koetsier, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

The crescent shape of the new condo tower and its jarring proximity, combined with the formerly soothing prevailing breeze, creates a wind tunnel that rakes across the north side of Building 3 and the driveway entrance, knocking down patio furniture, annihilating hairdos and slamming car doors. —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wind tunnel

• bunnell
• funnel
• multifunctional

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