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DictionaryvaneBlade for air or liquid flow
noun

vane

VAYN/veɪn/

A flat blade or surface that moves with or directs flowing air or liquid.

The weather vane turns on its spindle above the wind-bent grass.

Close-up of a functional weather vane: a broad, flat metal tail plate and arrow rotate freely on a vertical spindle, with wind-bent grass below making the airflow visible.
Etymology
vaneOld Englishflag, banner

Fana meant a flag or banner. The word came to name a metal wind indicator and then a windmill blade, linking the modern plate or blade to an earlier object moved by wind.

In context

FlyingKah2:24
The wind pushes on the fletching and turns the weather vane around until the stern points toward the wind.
Tall ship James Craig Wear ship

More examples

  • Air passed between the fan’s vanes.
  • A damaged vane reduced the pump’s performance.
  • The turbine has several curved vanes.

Forms

vane · vanes

Similar words

blade
Blade is the broader term for a flat working part; a vane is designed to interact with flowing air or liquid.
fin
A fin is a projecting surface; a vane specifically directs flow or moves in response to it.