downwash
noun
down·wash
| \ ˈdau̇n-ˌwȯsh
, -ˌwäsh\
, -ˌwäsh\
Definition of downwash
: an airstream directed downward (as by an airfoil)
Examples of downwash in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When wind, which flows faster at higher altitudes, hits a structure, some of it turns downward, running along the face of the building until that downwash hits the ground and turns again, reaching serious speeds. — Wired, "London Is Changing Its Skyscraper Designs—to Favor Cyclists," 2 Sep. 2019 This improves low-speed stability by halving the amount of surface area affected by the main rotor downwash, without compromising aerodynamics in forward flight. — Eric Adams, WIRED, "Airbus' H160 Helicopter Helps Save Pilots from Their Own Mistakes," 31 May 2018 Other equipment in the cavernous space can replicate the downwash from rescue helicopters, and generate rain, darkness, 120-mile-per-hour winds, smoke and fire. — Tyler J. Kelley, New York Times, "Need Better Morale in the Workplace? Simulate a Plane Crash," 7 Jan. 2017 Between them, though, is a downwash that creates extra drag on the plane. — Sarah Scoles, WIRED, "My Flight With the Wannabe Space Pilots of the Mojave," 8 Apr. 2016 The ground blocks the trailing vortices of the wing and decreases downwash. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "China Is Building a Sea-Skimming Anti-Ship Drone," 4 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'downwash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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