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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
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
The canopy also helps with looks, aerodynamics, and functions as an air brake.
—
Umar Shakir, The Verge, 31 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near air brake
Cite this Entry
“Air brake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20brake. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
air brake
noun1
: 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about air brake
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