Plain English Meaning
How a wing reacts to the air moving over it — how much lift it makes, how much drag it creates, and how those numbers change when the pilot speeds up, slows down, or changes the wing's angle to the oncoming air.
Full Definition
The way an airfoil — a wing, propeller blade, or control surface shaped to produce lift — responds to the air flowing around it as speed, angle of attack, and air density change. It describes how lift, drag, and pressure distribution shift as flight conditions vary.
Context Anchor
Seen when studying how wings create lift, why an airplane can , and how change the airplane’s motion.