air brake

noun

1
: a brake operated by a piston driven by compressed air
2
: a surface that may be projected into the airstream for increasing drag and lowering the speed of an airplane

Examples of air brake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What To Know In a January 13 robbery, thieves cut an air brake hose on a BNSF freight train in Arizona. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025 The railroad also changed its braking methods, switching from dynamic brakes to air brakes, and rails were pressure washed. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Dec. 2024 There are other systems, like drum brakes, air brakes, band brakes, the Flintstones method, et cetera, that have also been around since the dawn of the automotive industry. New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024 That wing also acts as an air brake, shooting upward to clamp down the rear under hard braking, countering the car’s forward weight shift to allow the rear brakes to apply a greater share of force. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012 See All Example Sentences for air brake

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of air brake was in 1846

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Air brake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20brake. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

air brake

noun
1
: a brake operated by a piston driven by compressed air
2
: a surface that may be quickly positioned into the air for lowering the speed of an airplane

More from Merriam-Webster on air brake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!