Definition
Control inputs applied with the ailerons and elevator while taxiing in a crosswind to prevent the wind from lifting a wing or tipping the airplane. The basic rule is 'dive away from a tailwind, climb into a headwind': with a quartering headwind, hold the aileron fully into the wind and keep the elevator neutral; with a quartering tailwind, hold the aileron away from the wind (stick deflected away from the wind) and the elevator forward (down).
Plain English
When you taxi in wind, you steer the control wheel and yoke into or away from the wind so the wind cannot get under a wing and flip or tip the airplane.
Context Anchor
Used during taxi before takeoff, after landing, or anytime the airplane is moving on the ground in windy conditions.
Derivation
Crosswind combines “cross,” meaning across or from the side, with “wind.” Taxi, in aviation, means moving an aircraft on the ground under its own power. Corrections comes from the idea of making something right or keeping it on the proper path.
Why Pilots Care
Without correct inputs the airplane can drift off the taxiway, strike a wingtip, or lose directional control.
Grounding Statement
Even at slow taxi speed, wind can still push on the wings and tail, so the controls are positioned before the gust moves the airplane for you.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the flight controls are only important in the air. During taxi, a crosswind can still act on the wings and tail, so the pilot must correct for it on the ground.
Example Sentence 1
With a strong wind from the left front, the student held full left aileron and neutral elevator throughout the taxi to the run-up area.
Example Sentence 2
The student practiced crosswind taxi corrections by turning the control wheel into the wind while the instructor monitored rudder input on the narrow taxiway.