terminal velocity

American  

noun

1. Physics.

   1. the velocity at which a falling body moves through a medium, as air, when the force of resistance of the medium is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force of gravity.

   2. the maximum velocity of a body falling through a viscous fluid.

2. Rocketry, Ballistics.

   1. the greatest speed that a rocket, missile, etc., attains after burnout or after leaving the barrel of a gun.

   2. the speed of a missile or projectile on impact with its target.

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terminal velocity British  

noun

1. the constant maximum velocity reached by a body falling under gravity through a fluid, esp the atmosphere

2. the velocity of a missile or projectile when it reaches its target

3. the maximum velocity attained by a rocket, missile, or shell flying in a parabolic flight path

4. the maximum velocity that an aircraft can attain, as determined by its total drag

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Example Sentences

At what point does a phone hit terminal velocity?

From Slate • Jan. 11, 2024

All objects have a certain terminal velocity that they reach when falling through the air, based on how their size and weight interact with wind resistance.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2024

Because size determines terminal velocity, a possible explanation is that the turbulence in clouds that influences snowflake size is related to the turbulence measured at the ground.

From Science Daily • Dec. 19, 2023

To give a specific value for the terminal velocity of a cat, one need only insert numerical values for the variables.

From Scientific American • Jul. 24, 2023

Wind nymphs zipped around the room, delivering orders of pizza, burgers, steaks, salads, Chinese food, and burritos, all flying at terminal velocity.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan