Plain English Meaning
The part of the airport traffic pattern where you fly alongside the runway, going the opposite way to how you'll land, with the wind pushing you from behind.
Full Definition
A flight path in the traffic pattern flown parallel to the landing runway, in the opposite direction of landing. It is the leg flown after the crosswind leg and before the base leg.
Context Anchor
Used when flying or talking about the airport traffic pattern, especially when entering, reporting, or positioning near a runway for landing.
Derivation
Named for the direction of flight relative to the wind. Since aircraft land into the wind, flying in the opposite direction means flying with the wind, or 'downwind.'