wind tunnel

noun

: a tunnellike passage through which air is blown at a known velocity to investigate air flow around an object (such as an airplane part or model) placed in the passage

Examples of wind tunnel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That led them to develop duplicative capabilities: A 2013 NASA inspector general report on underused facilities counted 36 wind tunnels at five centers and 40 large thermal vacuum chambers at seven locations. Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 The Austrian and another wingsuit jumper, Andreas Podlipnik, developed six airfoil prototypes over six years, testing them at an indoor wind tunnel in Stockholm, before deciding on one that would be optimal—at least theoretically—for the wingsuit. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024 The automaker that owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands has invested $29.5 million, part of 2019 UAW contract commitments, to upgrade its wind tunnel at the site with what’s called Moving Ground Plane technology. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2024 Some of those barrels were subjected to G forces at the Alfa Romeo team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland, as well as at the distillery in Vermont (no wind tunnels there, to be clear), in an attempt to increase the interaction between whiskey and wood. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wind tunnel 

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wind tunnel was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near wind tunnel

Cite this Entry

“Wind tunnel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20tunnel. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

wind tunnel

noun
: a passage like a tunnel through which air is blown at a known speed to investigate air flow around an object (as an airplane part or model) placed in the passage

More from Merriam-Webster on wind tunnel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!