slipstream

American  

[slip-streem] / ˈslɪpˌstrim /

noun

1. Aeronautics. the airstream pushed back by a revolving aircraft propeller.

2. the airstream generating reduced air pressure and forward suction directly behind a rapidly moving vehicle.

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verb (used without object)

slipstreams, present (3rd person singular) slipstreamed, past participle, past slipstreaming present participle

1. to ride in the slipstream of a fast-moving vehicle.

slipstream British  

/ ˈslɪpˌstriːm /

noun

1. Also called: airstream.   race. 

   1. the stream of air forced backwards by an aircraft propeller

   2. a stream of air behind any moving object

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verb

1. motor racing to follow (another car, etc) closely in order to take advantage of the decreased wind resistance immediately behind it

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• slipstreaming
  present
• slipstreamed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• slipstream
  simple
• slipstreams
  simple
• have slipstreamed
  perfect
• has slipstreamed
  perfect
• am slipstreaming
  progressive
• are slipstreaming
  progressive
• is slipstreaming
  progressive
• have been slipstreaming
  perfect progressive
• has been slipstreaming
  perfect progressive

Past

• slipstreamed
  simple
• had slipstreamed
  perfect
• was slipstreaming
  progressive
• were slipstreaming
  progressive
• had been slipstreaming
  perfect progressive

Future

• will slipstream
  simple
• will have slipstreamed
  perfect
• will be slipstreaming
  progressive
• will have been slipstreaming
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of slipstream

First recorded in 1910–15; slip ¹ + stream

Example Sentences

We saw that in Callais and in the slipstream of what has happened since Callais.

From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026

He found the optimal line through the final bend and positioned himself directly in Malukas’s slipstream.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Following in the slipstream of the superstars of K-pop, K-beauty has become a massive global business.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2025

In both races this weekend, it almost seemed to be a disadvantage to qualify on pole because of the slipstream on such a long straight.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2025

He was drifting into the great slipstream in which many promising jockeys are lost, their talents never tried for lack of the skilled trainer, the wise owner, the “big horse.”

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand