understeer

[ noun uhn-der-steer; verb uhn-der-steer ]

noun

1. a handling characteristic of an automotive vehicle that causes it to turn less sharply than the driver intends because the front wheels slide to the outside of the turn before the rear wheels lose traction.

verb (used without object)

1. (of an automotive vehicle) to undergo understeer, especially excessively.

understeer

/ ˈʌndəˌstɪə /

verb

1. (of a vehicle) to turn less sharply, for a particular movement of the steering wheel, than anticipated

Word History and Origins

Origin of understeer¹

First recorded in 1935–40; under- + steer ¹