rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryairfoilLift-producing surface
noun

airfoil

AIR-foyl/ˈerfɔɪl/

A shaped surface designed to produce lift as air flows over it.

Air flows smoothly above and below the curved airfoil.

Wing airfoil profile in side view, rounded leading edge and thin trailing edge with smooth airflow above and below, slightly curved top surface.
Etymology
airEnglishair
+foilEnglishlifting surface

Air identifies the medium in which the foil works: its shaped surface produces lift as air moves past it. The term applies especially to lifting surfaces of aircraft.

In context

Sabin Civil Engineering0:37
… each cross section of the blade produces a lift force when air flows over the blade due to the airfoil principle …
Drones | The complete flight dynamics

More examples

  • Changing the angle of the airfoil changes the lift it produces.
  • The model compares several different airfoils.
  • A wing's airfoil shape influences how air flows around it.

Forms

airfoil · airfoils

Similar words

wing
Names the aircraft part rather than its lifting profile.
blade
Can be an airfoil but also names many nonlifting surfaces.