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
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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 See all Example Sentences for air brake 

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of air brake was in 1846

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 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

air brake

noun
1
: 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

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