autorotation

[ aw-toh-roh-tey-shuhn ]

/ ˌɔ toʊ roʊˈteɪ ʃən /

Save This Word!

noun Aeronautics.

the condition of flight occurring when lift is derived solely from the action of air upon the unpowered rotor of a moving helicopter or autogiro.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of autorotation

First recorded in 1915–20; auto-¹ + rotation

OTHER WORDS FROM autorotation

au·to·ro·ta·tion·al, adjective

Words nearby autorotation

autoregulation, autoreinfection, auto-repeat, autoreproduction, autorickshaw, autorotation, autoroute, autosave, autoschediasm, autosensitization, autosepticemia

How to use autorotation in a sentence

The monocopter is thus equipped with a natural fail-safe, thanks to this ability to descend gracefully in autorotation in the event of a power failure.
Inspired by a seed, this rotating drone will make your head spin|Kelsey D. Atherton|November 18, 2021|Popular-Science
He allowed his training to take over and skillfully put the machine into an autorotation to prevent a catastrophic nosedive into the mountain.
After the Crash, They Said I Was Fine. I Wasn't.|Erin Tierney|February 4, 2021|Outside Online

British Dictionary definitions for autorotation

autorotation

/ (ˌɔːtəʊrəʊˈteɪʃən) /

noun

the continuous rotation of a body in an airflow, such as that of the rotor blades of a helicopter in an unpowered descent

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012