Plain English Meaning

A flap-like surface at the back of the tail that the pilot moves up or down to make the airplane's nose point higher or lower.

Full Definition

A movable horizontal control surface, normally hinged to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer, used to control the airplane's pitch attitude by raising or lowering the nose around the lateral axis.

Context Anchor

Seen during preflight when checking that the elevator moves freely and in the correct direction, and in flight when using the control wheel or stick to control nose attitude.