air pocket

American  

noun

1. (not in technical use) a nearly vertical air current that can cause an aircraft to experience a sudden change in altitude, usually a decrease.

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air pocket British  

noun

1. a localized region of low air density or a descending air current, causing an aircraft to suffer an abrupt decrease in height

2. any pocket of air that prevents the flow of a liquid or gas, as in a pipe

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Etymology

Origin of air pocket

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Smalyukh described the key to MOCHI's performance as its precisely arranged air pockets.

From Science Daily

“We might not see them for a year. That is the air pocket,” Subramanian said in a Dec. 2 press briefing.

From MarketWatch

They see no “air pocket” in revenue for custom-designed integrated circuits due to the steady rollout of new products.

From Barron's

That could lead to an ”air pocket,” with the market seeing a modest pullback in the not-too-distant future, he said.

From MarketWatch

A 10-year-old boy was rescued after being trapped in an air pocket in the upturned hull, local media say.

From BBC