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air brake
noun
1
: a brake operated by a piston driven by compressed air
2
: a surface that may be projected into the airstream for increasing drag and lowering the speed of an airplane
Examples of air brake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The canopy also helps with looks, aerodynamics, and functions as an air brake.
—Umar Shakir, The Verge, 31 July 2024
Instead, the only sound to come out of the truck was that of the parking air brake at the start and end of my run.
—Cameron Aubernon, Popular Science, 15 May 2024
The rip to 60 mph is 2.7 seconds, and the task of stopping the land missile is aided by twin air brakes that pop up from the rear wings.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
It’s named for the plane George flew over Edwards Air Force Base to drop aerodynamic objects from 43,000 feet, using air brakes and parachutes to avoid crash landings.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near air brake
Cite this Entry
“Air brake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20brake. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
air brake
noun1
: a brake operated by a piston driven by compressed air
2
: a surface that may be quickly positioned into the air for lowering the speed of an airplane
More from Merriam-Webster on air brake
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about air brake
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