contrail

[ kon-treyl ]

noun

1. a visible condensation of water droplets or ice crystals from the atmosphere, occurring in the wake of an aircraft, rocket, or missile under certain conditions.

contrail

/ ˈkɒntreɪl /

noun

1. another name for vapour trail

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrail¹

First recorded in 1940–45; con(densation) trail

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrail¹

C20: from con ( densation ) + trail

Example Sentences

When a plane passes through cold humid air, the contrails form as the vapour from the engines condenses on unburned fuel fragments in the exhaust stream.

From BBC

These are actually condensed water vapour trails - known as contrails - that come from the jet engines of planes.

From BBC

“Those contrails of the big jets overwhelmed me. It was my destiny to fly.”

From Los Angeles Times

The plane passing over Montreal during the partial phase of the eclipse left a typical contrail in its wake.

From New York Times

Another SpaceX launch a couple of weeks earlier had caused a stir with its eye-catching streak of light and contrail.

From Los Angeles Times