underwing

American  

[uhn-der-wing] / ˈʌn dərˌwɪŋ /

noun

1. one of the hind wings of an insect.

2. Also underwing moth any of several noctuid moths of the genus Catocala, characterized by red-, yellow-, or orange-banded hind wings.

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underwing British  

/ ˈʌndəˌwɪŋ /

noun

1. the hind wing of an insect, esp when covered by the forewing

2. See red underwing yellow underwing

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Etymology

Origin of underwing

First recorded in 1525–35; under- + wing

Example Sentences

The parts housing the bearings helped hold the jet’s underwing engines in place.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Virgin Orbit, founded in 2017, launches a small rocket called LauncherOne from the underwing of a modified Boeing 747, named Cosmic Girl.

From The Verge • Aug. 23, 2021

They’re stopped on the way and taken underwing by John Malkovich’s Ranger Bright — a loathsome minion of the big boss, Frog, whose identity remains a mystery well into the film.

From New York Times • May 7, 2020

John Phillips, an underwing mechanic at Spirit, is also looking for work outside Wichita after being laid off.

From The Guardian • Feb. 1, 2020

And the red underwing had circled round the light and flashed and gone.

From Jacob's Room by Woolf, Virginia