Plain English Meaning
The push or pull that air creates on an aircraft as it moves through the air. This single overall force is usually split into two parts for analysis: the part that holds the aircraft up (lift) and the part that holds it back (drag).
Full Definition
A force generated by the interaction between a solid body and the air moving around it. On an aircraft, the total aerodynamic force produced by the wings and other surfaces is typically resolved into two components: lift, which acts perpendicular to the relative wind, and drag, which acts parallel to and opposes the relative wind.
Context Anchor
Seen in lift discussions when explaining how airflow around a wing creates forces on the aircraft.
Derivation
From the Greek 'aero' (air) and 'dynamis' ( or force). So 'aerodynamic force' is literally 'a force produced by air in motion' — which is exactly what a wing as it moves through the .