1. plural of airfoil: curved surfaces designed to produce lift when air flows over them, such as airplane wings or helicopter blades
Usage: aeronautics; engineering

Examples

• The aircraft’s airfoils were carefully designed to maximize lift and minimize drag.
• Engineers tested different airfoils in the wind tunnel to improve performance.
• The helicopter’s rotating airfoils generate the lift needed for flight.
• Modern airfoils use advanced materials to reduce weight while maintaining strength.
• The shape of these airfoils allows air to flow smoothly over the wing surface.
• Wind turbine airfoils are optimized to capture energy from moving air.
• Students learned how airfoils create the pressure differences that enable flight.