airfoil

[ air-foil ]

noun

, Aeronautics.

1. any surface, as a wing, aileron, or stabilizer, designed to aid in lifting or controlling an aircraft by making use of the air currents through which it moves.

airfoil

/ ˈɛəˌfɔɪl /

noun

1. a cross section of an aileron, wing, tailplane, or rotor blade Also calledaerofoil

airfoil

/ âr′foil′ /

1. A structure having a shape that provides lift, propulsion, stability, or directional control in a flying object. An aircraft wing provides lift by causing air to pass at a higher speed over the wing than below it, resulting in greater pressure below than above. Propellers are airfoils that are spun rapidly to provide propulsion.
2. See more at Bernoulli effectSee Note at aerodynamics

Word History and Origins

Origin of airfoil¹

First recorded in 1920–25; air ¹ + foil ²

Example Sentences

While many studies have evaluated these fringes using flat plates and airfoils, their exact mechanisms and effects on the interactions of feathers and the different wing features in real owl wings remained unknown.

From Science Daily

Purchasing new machines would increase capacity to meet higher demand for the company's airfoils used in engine compressors, but Delic wants a long-term commitment from buyers.

From Reuters

A few miles away, Howmet, where my father worked next, made airfoils, rings, disks, forgings and other parts for airplanes, including the infamous F-35 fighter jet.

From New York Times

“I often say it’s like seeing a car parked on the side of the road with racing slicks and racing stripes and an airfoil on the back and a big engine,” Ray said.

From Seattle Times

“With the wind tunnel,” Stephen Wright says, “they were able to gather precise data on tiny airfoil designs, scraps of sheet metal they had lying around their bicycle shop.”

From Scientific American