aerodynamic
Americanadjective
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having the effect of reducing the drag on an object as it moves through the air or as air flows around it.
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of, relating to, or informed by the science of aerodynamics.
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."
Vocabulary lists containing aerodynamic
Elements of the Universe: Aer, Aero ("Air")
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aer, aero
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for March 16–March 22, 2025
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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.
By definition, those wobblers aren’t aerodynamic, so getting them deep is harder than it appears.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
Flight tests of this experimental new wing, which is longer and lighter to maximise aerodynamic efficiency and reduce fuel burn, are scheduled to begin this year.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
The speed brakes are panels that create aerodynamic drag, or thrust reversers, which redirect air to lower the plane’s speed while landing, the WSJ’s Andrew Tangel and Alyssa Lukpat write.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
The Alpine has strong straight-line speed with a low-downforce-leaning aerodynamic design.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
Several bats still wove around the stadium doing aerodynamic maneuvers.
From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins
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