delta wing

American  

noun

1. a triangularly shaped surface that serves as both wing and horizontal stabilizer of a space vehicle and some supersonic aircraft.

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delta wing British  

noun

1. a triangular sweptback aircraft wing

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Etymology

Origin of delta wing

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Boom said five unnamed airlines had placed 76 orders for its passenger plane, which resembles Concorde but has a delta wing that sweeps almost to the tip of the nose.

From BBC

And the design has echoes of the curves of Concorde, with what is described as a "gothic delta wing".

From BBC

The delta wing’s geometry amplifies the ground effect, allowing the new craft to cruise as high as five metres above the water’s surface.

From Economist

The delta wing aircraft from the Cold War era will commemorate the Queen's Jubilee year and the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Vulcan.

From BBC

Boeing portrayed its Sonic Cruiser as a sleek, delta wing derivative that would whisk 200 people among world capitals faster than current technology but far more cost effectively than supersonic flight could achieve.

From BusinessWeek