Definition
An automatic braking system that senses when a wheel is about to stop rotating during heavy braking and rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure on that wheel to prevent it from locking up and skidding. It allows the pilot to apply maximum brake pressure while the system manages each wheel individually to keep them rolling near the point of maximum braking effectiveness.
Plain English
A system that stops the wheels from locking up when you brake hard, so the airplane keeps slowing down instead of sliding.
Context Anchor
Seen during rejected takeoff procedures, landing rollout, brake system checks, and cockpit anti-skid switch or warning indications.
Derivation
Anti means 'against' (Greek/Latin), and skid means an uncontrolled slide, especially of a tire that has stopped rotating while still moving. So anti-skid literally means 'against sliding' — a system designed to prevent a tire from sliding instead of rolling.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains directional control and shortens stopping distance during high-speed braking.
Analogy
It works much like anti-lock brakes in a car: the system helps keep the wheels rolling instead of sliding, so braking stays more effective.
Intuition Check
Anti-skid does not mean the airplane cannot skid. It means the brake system helps prevent wheel lockup and tire sliding during braking.
Example Sentence 1
After calling the rejected takeoff, the captain applied maximum braking and let the anti-skid system manage the wheels.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots count on anti-skid to help stop the airplane on a wet runway after an engine failure.