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• barrel roll
  barrel roll

  noun

  a maneuver in which an airplane executes a complete roll by revolving once around its longitudinal axis.
• barrel-roll
  barrel-roll

  verb (used without object)

  to perform a barrel roll.

barrel roll

¹ American  

noun

Aeronautics.

1. a maneuver in which an airplane executes a complete roll by revolving once around its longitudinal axis.

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barrel-roll ² American  

[bar-uhl-rohl] / ˈbær əlˌroʊl /

verb (used without object)

Aeronautics.

1. to perform a barrel roll.

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barrel roll British  

noun

1. a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft rolls about its longitudinal axis while following a spiral course in line with the direction of flight

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verb

1. (intr) (of an aircraft) to perform a barrel roll

Usage

What does barrel roll mean? A barrel roll is an aviation maneuver in which an aircraft rolls over while also flying in a spiral or corkscrew route. The term can also be used as a verb (typically spelled barrel-roll) meaning to perform this maneuver. A barrel roll is typically only done by fighter jets and stunt planes. Some helicopters are capable of barrel roles, but this is rarer. A barrel roll should not be confused with an aileron roll, in which an aircraft performs a side-to-side roll by turning upside down and then right-side up again in a single rolling motion (without flying in a corkscrew formation). However, most laypeople simply call this a barrel roll. Example: The best part of the air show was seeing that huge plane do a barrel roll.

Etymology

Origin of barrel roll¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Origin of barrel-roll²

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Suddenly, she darts away, soaring into a barrel roll.

From National Geographic • Oct. 23, 2023

Preece and SHR teammate Chase Briscoe made contact coming out of Turn 4, and Preece’s car went into an uncontrollable barrel roll as soon as it slid from the asphalt to the infield grass.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2023

Hassan tried to save things by hurdling over her fallen opponent, but instead tripped and did half a barrel roll.

From Fox News • Aug. 2, 2021

He talks of doing a barrel roll before landing and then "calling it a night".

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2018

“Nope!” shouted Kyle, executing a pretty nifty barrel roll by swiveling his hips.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein