aerodynamic

American  

[air-oh-dahy-nam-ik] / ˌɛər oʊ daɪˈnæm ɪk /

adjective

1. having the effect of reducing the drag on an object as it moves through the air or as air flows around it.

2. of, relating to, or informed by the science of aerodynamics.

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aerodynamic Scientific  

/ âr′ō-dī-năm′ĭk /

1. Designed to reduce or minimize the drag caused by air as an object moves though it or by wind that strikes and flows around an object. The wings and bodies of airplanes have an aerodynamic shape.

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Explanation

If something is aerodynamic, it's designed to move efficiently through air. If a baseball were square instead of round, it would be much less aerodynamic — and nearly impossible to throw straight. Race cars, sleek and low to the ground, are more aerodynamic than the family minivan — in other words, their shape puts up much less resistance to the air that flows around them. It's why they can go so fast. Anything that moves smoothly through the air is aerodynamic, from a greyhound to a racing bike to a golf ball. Aerodynamic combines the Greek aero-, "air," and dynamic, "pertaining to mechanical forces."

Related Words

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