Plain English Meaning

A wing cross-section shaped like a thin lens, with both the top and bottom curved as parts of circles. It is chosen for very fast aircraft because it cuts through the air with less drag at high speeds.

Full Definition

A thin, symmetrical airfoil whose upper and lower surfaces are formed from arcs of circles, producing a curved, lens-like cross-section. It is used primarily on high-speed and supersonic aircraft, where a thin, low-drag profile matters more than the lifting efficiency of a thicker, conventional shape.

Context Anchor

Seen in airfoil design diagrams when comparing different wing-section shapes and how they affect lift and drag.