Plain English Meaning

The way soft ground sticks to the tires and slows the airplane down as it tries to roll forward.

Full Definition

The clinging force between an aircraft's tires and a soft surface (such as mud, wet grass, soft sand, or snow) that resists the tire's rolling motion and increases takeoff roll distance.

Context Anchor

Encountered during soft-field and rough-field takeoff discussions, especially when explaining why the pilot should keep weight off the wheels as much as practical during the takeoff roll.

Derivation

From the Latin 'adhaerere', meaning 'to to'. The same gives us 'adhesive'. In a , the ground is literally sticking to the tires.