air brake
Americannoun
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a brake or system of brakes operated by compressed air.
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Aeronautics. a device for reducing the air speed of an aircraft by increasing its drag.
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a device for stopping the sails of a windmill by disrupting the flow of air around them.
noun
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a brake operated by compressed air, esp in heavy vehicles and trains
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Also called: dive brake. an articulated flap or small parachute for reducing the speed of an aircraft
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a rotary fan or propeller connected to a shaft to reduce its speed
Etymology
Origin of air brake
An Americanism dating back to 1870–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The air brake, invented by George Westinghouse in 1869, sent compressed air through a line to enable the train’s engineer to apply brakes from the locomotive.
From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022
Union Pacific failed to maintain the rail cars in accordance with federal regulations such as regularly performing single rail car air brake tests, according to the NTSB.
From Washington Times • Jan. 25, 2021
But trucks generally abide by a three-second rule, in part because their air brake systems take a little longer to engage.
From Slate • Jun. 8, 2015
Only after he has slowed down to about 3,000 m.p.h. will the pilot be able to set his air brake -open a stainless steel para chute.
From Time Magazine Archive
The straight air brake valve is of the slide valve type.
From The Traveling Engineers' Association To Improve The Locomotive Engine Service of American Railroads by Anonymous
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
