laminar flow

noun

, Hydraulics, Mechanics.

1. the flow of a viscous fluid in which particles of the fluid move in parallel layers, each of which has a constant velocity but is in motion relative to its neighboring layers.

laminar flow

noun

1. nonturbulent motion of a fluid in which parallel layers have different velocities relative to each other Compare turbulent flow See also streamline flow

laminar flow

/ lăm′ə-nər /

1. Smooth, orderly movement of a fluid, in which there is no turbulence, and any given subcurrent moves more or less in parallel with any other nearby subcurrent. Laminar flow is common in viscous fluids, especially those moving at low velocities.
2. Compare turbulent flow

Word History and Origins

Origin of laminar flow¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Modern submarines are hydrodynamically shaped to have the most efficient laminar flow underwater, so that’s where we operated 99 percent of the time.

From Nautilus