winglet

[ wing-lit ]

noun

1. a little wing.
2. Zoology. alula.
3. Aeronautics.
   1. a small wing used mainly to carry external loads or to connect struts or gears to the fuselage.
   2. a short, near-vertical projection on a wing tip that reduces drag and improves fuel efficiency.

winglet

/ ˈwɪŋlɪt /

noun

1. a small wing, esp the bastard wing of a bird
2. a small wing placed at the tip of the main wing of an aircraft and perpendicular to it designed to reduce the aircraft's vortex drag

Word History and Origins

Origin of winglet¹

First recorded in 1605–15; wing + -let

Example Sentences

Incorporating lighter-weight materials like carbon fiber into planes has made a difference, as has implementing technologies like winglets, flexible navigation systems, and continuous climb and descent operations.

From Singularity Hub