wind tunnel

noun

: a tunnellike passage through which air is blown at a known velocity to investigate air flow around an object (such as an airplane part or model) placed in the passage

Examples of wind tunnel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The crescent shape of the new condo tower and its jarring proximity, combined with the formerly soothing prevailing breeze, creates a wind tunnel that rakes across the north side of Building 3 and the driveway entrance, knocking down patio furniture, annihilating hairdos and slamming car doors. —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Following wind tunnel tests, the prototype V-173 was completed and made its maiden flight on November 23, 1942 with test pilot Boone T. Guyton at the controls. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2025

The data teams gather in Bahrain will be compared to data from the wind tunnel and computer simulations. —Luke Smith, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025

The tubing was a bit like hurtling through a supersonic wind tunnel, but fun all the same. —Maya Silver, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wind tunnel

• bunnell
• funnel
• multifunctional

Kids Definition

wind tunnel

noun

: a passage like a tunnel through which air is blown at a known speed to investigate air flow around an object (as an airplane part or model) placed in the passage