Definition
Shaped with a curve, particularly the curved upper and/or lower surface of an airfoil. A cambered wing has an asymmetric profile in which the curvature of the upper surface differs from the lower surface, generating lift as air flows around it.
Plain English
Curved rather than flat. When a wing is described as cambered, it means its surface has a built-in curve that helps it produce lift.
Context Anchor
Seen in aerodynamics and wing-design discussions, especially when comparing different wing shapes or explaining how lift is produced.
Derivation
From the Old French 'cambre,' meaning 'curved' or 'arched,' which traces back to the Latin 'camurus' (curved inward). The word entered English to describe any gentle arch or curve, and aviation borrowed it to describe the curved shape of a wing.
Why Pilots Care
Camber affects how much lift a wing produces at low speeds and angles, directly influencing takeoff distance, climb performance, and stall behavior.
Grounding Statement
From the side, picture a wing with a rounded upper surface and a different lower surface; that planned uneven curve is what makes it cambered.
Intuition Check
Cambered does not mean damaged, warped, or simply tilted. In aviation, it means the wing shape has a deliberate curve designed to help produce lift.
Example Sentence 1
The wing's cambered upper surface causes air to accelerate over the top, contributing to lift.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots compare cambered and symmetric airfoils when choosing an aircraft for training versus aerobatic work.