Plain English Meaning
Thick stretchy cords built into the landing gear that stretch when the airplane touches down and spring back, softening the impact of landing.
Full Definition
Heavy elastic cords used in some light aircraft landing gear systems to absorb landing shock by stretching as the gear is loaded, then returning to their original length as the load is released. They serve as the energy-absorbing element in a simple shock-absorbing landing gear arrangement.
Context Anchor
Seen during discussions of landing gear construction, preflight inspection, and how some landing gear absorbs landing and taxi forces.
Derivation
The word 'bungee' comes from a 19th-century English term for a thick rubber eraser, later applied to elastic cords used to absorb shock. The meaning carried over directly: a stretchy cord that takes up energy.