winglet

noun

wing·​let ˈwiŋ-lət 

: a small wing

also : a nearly vertical airfoil at an airplane's wingtip that reduces drag by inhibiting turbulence

Examples of winglet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The small upturned tips of each wing are called winglets, and although they weren’t added to the big airliners until the late 1980s, they were invented more than a century earlier. —Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025

In the more recent age of winglets and wind tunnels, aero profiles have evolved to cut drag and put more of a focus on front-end downforce. —Joe Salas may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025

Four winglets move and adjust according to the needs of the moment, reducing aero downforce at higher speeds, generating greater downforce in cornering, and serving as an air brake. —Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

In addition to Princess Tiana, characters depicted on the plane include the jazz-loving Louis the Alligator, Prince Naveen, and even Mama Odie on the winglet. —Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for winglet

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette